In the late 1930's the Japanese government sheltered a well-organized opium and heroin operation throughout North China. This efficient organization managed to undersell and virtually eliminate European competition in the China drug market. Like its Chinese competitors, it hid military and political power objectives behind the rhetoric of public service and concern for the addict's welfare. However, in the late 1800's, when Japan had only just emerged into the modern world of international commerce, it did so with strong convictions against China's thriving opium trade. As a result, Japan developed an opium-free image that remained despite activities to the contrary. Unlike their stance toward legitimate industry, Japanese officials came to the opium traffic reluctantly, embracing it as part of the established colonial world order of Asia. However, they regarded the opium traffic as part of the tools of western conquest in Asia. Their status as power brokers in East Asia determined their attitudes to opium. 51 reference notes