THE POPULATION CHANGES IN PROMINENT SERICULTURE AREAS IN JAPAN

Abstract

I. Before the World War II, the increase or decrease of the population in the prominent sericulture villages shows very particular features in its tendency, varying according to each district. (1). The degree of increase or decrease of population is quite remarkable in the following periods, that is, it increases great deal in the prosperous period of the silk raising industry from 1920 to 30, while it decreases not a little during its depression. This shows a vivid contrast to that of the villages prominent in rice culture in which the increase or decrease is comparatively stable. (2). From 1920 to the outbreak of the War, in the prominent sericulture villages, the increase of population hardly happens. Compared with whole population of the prefecture or that of the villages prominent in rice culture, its total number is stationary or decreases. (3). The type of increase or decrease of population varies according to each district. There are five major types, i. the North-eastern district type, pretty increased, ii. the Kanto district type, a little increased, iii. the Central Highland type, stagnant, iv. the Kinki district type, decreased, and v. the Chugoku and Shikoku district type, stagant. II. After the War broke out, areas of mulberry fields in the prominent sericulture villages were reduced great deal. However, those of the whole country also were reduced too, and so the relative prominence of the former to the latter was unchangeable except a few districts. By this reason, (4). There appeares, as happened before the War, the same difference on the increase of population between those sericulture villages and the rice culture villages or the rest parts of a prefecture. (5). According to the variation of mulberry farm areas, various types of population tendency are coming out. (6). The investigation on the Nagano prefecture as a center of raw silk raising industy shows clearly that the above mentiond features are caused indirectly by the change of the price of cocoons and directly by the economic and labor conditions resulted in the expansion or reduction of the scale of management of sericulture.