Abstract
This paper outlines the main changes in industrial location in Japan since the end of World War II. After a brief introduction, the paper discusses the growth of industrial regions between 1955 and 1965, and gives particular attention to the establishment of heavy industrial complexes in coastal locations and to the growth of assembly-line industries in inland locations. Some reference is also made to the role of local government inducement policies. The paper then turns to an examination of trends since 1965, and considers the significance of external diseconomies, changes in local government policy, labour shortage, improvements in transport and communications, and regional development policy. The paper argues that these factors have been responsible for a limited dispersal of manufacturing away from the main industrial regions. In conclusion, the paper briefly considers the implications of current economic trends for industrial location.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
Chang, C.S.: The Japanese motor vehicle industry. Ph.D. thesis, The American University, Washington D.C. 1974.
Economic Planning Agency: Quality of the environment in Japan 1974. Tokyo, Printing Bureau Ministry of Finance 1975.
The Economist: Japan's regional policy. Issue of November 18, 1978.
Flüchter, W.: Neulandgewinnung und Industrieansiedlung vor den japanischen Küsten. Paderborn, Ferdinand Schöningh 1975.
Fukuoka Tsusho Sangyo-Kyoku: Kyushu chi-iki no sangyo kozo bijon. Tokyo, Tsusho Sangyo Chosa-kai 1978.
Hayashi, Y. and Watanabe, T.: Nihon no kagaku kogyo. 2. edn. Tokyo, Iwanami 1968.
Honda, S.: Kokogyo. In: Kawaguchi, H. and Shinohara, M. (eds.): Zusetsu Nihon Keizai-ron, pp. 141–160, Tokyo, Yuhikaku 1974.
Ito, K.: Kaso sanson to kogyo ritchi. Keizai Chirigaku Nempo 20, 3–33 (1974)
Ito, K.: Nihon shihonshugi to chi-iki kaihatsu. In: Ouchi, H. (ed.): Gendai Shihonshugi, Vo. 5, pp. 145–214, Tokyo, Nihon Hyoron-sha 1975.
Kawashima, T.: Nihon no kogyo chi-iki no keisei. In: Ohara, K. et al. eds.: Zusetsu Nihon Kokudo Taikei, Vol. 5: Nihon no Kogyo to Kogyo Chitai, pp. 74–96. Tokyo, Seibundo Shinko-sha 1967.
Kitagawa, K.: Expressways and their influence on the surrounding region. The Wheel Extended 6, 28–39 (1976)
Kogyo Ritchi Sentaa: Kojo bunsan doko chosa hokoku. Tokyo, Kyogo Ritchi Sentaa 1963.
Kokudo-cho: Kokudo riyo hakusho. Tokyo, Okura-sho Insatsukyoku 1975.
Kokodo-cho: Dai san-ji zenkoku sogo kaihatsu keikaku. Tokyo, Okura-sho Insatsu-kyoku 1977.
Kosugi, T.: Gigantic industrial development in Japan — a case study of Mutsu-Ogawara area. Kansai University Review of Economics and Business 6, 57–75 (1977)
Mills, E.S., and Ohta, K.: Urbanization and urban problems. In: Patrick, H. and Rosovsky, H., (ed.): Asia's New Giant — How the Japanese economy works, pp. 673–751, Washington, D.C., The Brookings Institution 1976.
Miyakawa, Y.: Kogyo haichi-ron. Tokyo, Taimeido 1977. (a)
Miyakawa, Y.: Jidosha kogyo. In: Kitamura, Y. and Yada, S. (eds.): Nihon Kogyo no chi-iki kozo, Tokyo, Taimeido 1977. (b)
Miyamoto, K.: Chi-iki kaihatsu wa kore de yoi ka. Tokyo, Iwanami 1973.
Okita, S.: Regional planning in Japan today. In: Lockwood, W.W. (ed.): The State and Economic Enterprise in Japan, pp. 619–631, Princeton, New Jersey, Princeton University Press 1965.
Okuda, Y.: Nihon no Konbinaato. In: Koda, Y. et al., (eds.): Nihon no kogyoka, pp. 54–70, Tokyo, Kokon Shoin 1966.
Okuda, Y.: Areal expansion of industrialization in Japan after the Second World War. Japanese Journal of Geology and Geography 34, 89–111 (1968)
Ritchi Kogai Handobukku Henshu Iinkai: Ritchi kogai handobukku. Tokyo, Kyodo Shuppan 1976.
Sargent, J.: Regional development in Japan: some aspects of the plan for remodelling the Japanese archipelage. In: Beasley, W.G. (ed.): Modern Japan: Aspects of History, Literature and Society, pp. 227–243, London, George Allen and Unwin 1975.
Takeuchi, A.: Jidosha kogyo toshi no keisei to kozo-jo no seikaku. Tohoku Chiri 23, 193–203 (1971)
Tanaka, K.: Nihon retto kaizo-ron. Tokyo, Nikkan Kogyo Shimbunsha, 1972.
Trewartha, G.T.: Japan — a geography. London, Methuen 1965.
Yamamoto, M.: Nihon no kogyo chitai. 2. edn., Tokyo, Iwanami 1965.
Yamamoto, M.: Nihon no kogyo chitai. 3. edn., Tokyo, Iwanami 1976.
Yano Tsuneta Kinen-kai: Nihon kokusei zue. Tokyo, kokusei-sha 1971.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Sargent, J. Industrial location in Japan since 1945. GeoJournal 4, 205–214 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00218577
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00218577