It’s perfectly common to have signs written in English during those times. Before the war, there was already a deep fascination with western culture, but the war put a hold on that. After the occupation, being interested in western ideals and culture was normal again. Apparently, from what I’ve heard, it’s considered stylish in Japan to have certain things written in English, and considering it’s a film of the period, I would say it’s historically accurate. Remember the cabaret in the film? The sign is written in English and there’s an other sign advertising Valentine’s Day in English and Japanese.
Thanks. Eleven months ago, OWS was the only post-war Japanese film I’d seen. Since then, Ozu and others have rendered signs in English a familiar sight. I was surprised at first partly because English signage is such a touchy subject in French-speaking Canada. (In Quebec for example, stop signs read “Arrêt” despite “Stop” being universally adopted across Europe).
Singing Mason
In the closing scene at the train station, there’s a garbage can labeled ‘TRASH’. That struck me as odd. I don’t know anything about the history of post-war Japan, but I did have a vague notion that the Allied Occupation attempted to be conciliatory— in which case posting signs in English would be a mis-step, no? I assume it’s an historically accurate detail.