DISTRIBUTION OF INDUSTRIES IN JAPAN

Abstract

The purpose of the present report is to analyze the distribution of industries in Japan, to set up the inbustrial districts, and to grasp the characteristics of those districts.Data were obtained from “A Nation-wide Survey of Factories, 1950, ” compiled by the International Trade and Industry Ministry, and “A Survey of Factories, 1950, ” compiled by the International Trade and Industry Ministry, and “A Survey of Factories, 1909, ” compiled by the Ministry of Agriculture and Commerce. Factories employing more than 5 workers were numbered and classified according to the following weights: factories employing 5-49 workers………1, and factories employing 50-99 worers ………3, factories employing 100-199 workers………6, factories employing 200-499 workers………12, factories employing 500-999 workers………25, and factories employing more than 1, 000 workers………50.(1) Distribution of industries (Fig. 1). Indicated by the oblique lines are areas with considerably dense distribntibution of industries. Areas with especially dense distribution of indnstries are shown by black. The distribution is influenced by topography, communication, labor, and markets. For example, the relation between railroads and the distribution of industries is shown in Fig. 2. In agricultural districts the distribution is dense in the mountain foot areas. In many cases this is due to superfluous labor.(2) Representative industries (Fig. 3). Chief industries in the big 4 industrial districts of Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka and Northern Kyushu are those of maceine and metal. Areas of these industries are surrounded by the areas of fiber industry. Industries in the agricultural districts are represented by those of food and timber. Food industry tends to be geographically closer to market places than timber industry. In particular, in the outskirts of the big 4 industrial districts, there are areas of food industries.(3) Density of isfribuion (Fig. 4). Hawmany kinds of industries does each city, town, or village have? Itcan be theoretically surmised that many industries concentrate in places where conditions advantageous to them exist. Accordingly, from the density of distribution alone, it will be possible to ascertain to a certain extent the state of industrialization. Generally viewed, the area including sources of electricity in central Japan and the coast of the Inland Sea have high density of distribution of industries, beside the big 4 industrial districts.(4) Increase and decrease (Fig. 5) The industrial revolution in Japan was completed by World War I. In Fig. 5 are compared the increase and decrease of industries both in 1909 and in 1950.(5) Management of indnstries (Fig. 6). Whether industry is managed as modern industry or as home industry is shown in Fig. 6.(6) Industrial districts (Fig. 7). In Fig. 7 industrial districts are set up, taking into account all factors above mentioned. ‘A’ is the most advanced district; ‘B, ’ ‘C, ’ ‘D, ’ and ‘E’ are the districtcts less advanced than ‘A’.(7) Industrial cities (Fig. 8). Cities marked with black are noted for machine, metal and chemical industries; cities marked wi thoblique lines are noted for fiber industry; and cities marked with white for timber, food, and chinaware industries.