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RECENT SONG HITS in Japan have ranged from local ditties, such as Japanese Rhumba (ai-yai-yai) and Tokyo Boogie, to American importations, such as Tennessee Waltz and Buttons and Bows. But the perennial favorite, the Stardust of Japan, is a tender ballad called Shina No Yoru (China Night).

The Japanese and the servicemen love the song. The serviceman's love, however, is somewhat shattering. He innocently wrecks the touching lyrics by singing "She Ain't Got No Yo-Yo." With wonder and disbelief the Japanese listen to the vocalizing serviceman, and in low tones they discuss his warped warblings. ("What's the matter with this square? Has he lost his marbles?")

The Japanese have a flair for rhythm and to the delight of adoring GIs they expertly air the flair on club and cabaret dance floors. They waltz and they tango and they polka and they jitterbug. They are, in a word, hep.

In contrast to the sweet and saucy tunes that now abound in Nippon, there are still the weird chants played to the ear-piercing snappings of the samisen. Many servicemen believe that this stringed musical instrument is strictly from hunger. As far as they're concerned, nothing beats the strains of the dreamy Japanese China Night.

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