Concentration of Branch Offices in Kôriyama City

Abstract

In 1973, the number of branch offices in Kôriyama reached 785. This figure is almost comparable with the figures of cities where prefectural governments are located. Most of the branch offices belong to manufacturing industries in the industial classification of the companies. They handle many consumer goods, such as food, drugs and medicines, and electrical applicances. The branch offices of manufacturing industries, however, bear little direct relation to the industrial plants in this city.Most of the branches were established after World War II like in other cities, and especially since 1966. Besides, there are many branches which moved to this city from other cities within Fukushima Prefecture. In other words, many of these branches were established to supplement the function of branches in other central cities, such as Sendai.Distribution of the branches in the built-up area of Kôriyama is differentiated in two districts: central district and south district. This is a transitory phenomenon, because both the agglomeration rate and density of branches are relatively low.Located either in Fukushima Prefectue (excluding Kôriyama City) or in Miyagi Prefecture, their branch offices clearly show a localism as compared with cities classfied as regionl centers. 87.5% of the branches in Kôiyama are under control of branches in Sendai. 387 (49.3%) out of the 785 branches in Kôriyama have the branches in Sendai, too. 2.57 control branches (77.4%) out of them are in Sendai.56.0% branch offices in Kôriyama are responsbile for Fukushima Prefecture alone, and only 10% are in charge of areas in other prefectures as well.On the whole, the control areas of the branches are larger in cases of manufacturing companies, but are small in banking, transport and service industries.