Towards the Sustainable Development of Local Industries

Towards the Sustainable Development of Local Industries

Associate Professor (Studies on Small and Medium Enterprises, Regional Industrial Studies)
YOSHIWARA　Motoko

Across the country, there are regions where local industries have been formed. A local industry refers to an industry that has historical and traditional significance, sources capital, labor, and raw materials from within the region, produces local specialty products, and is concentrated in a specific area. These industries are symbolic of their respective regions. However, many of these areas have been experiencing a declining trend over the medium to long term. According to a survey, the total production value of local industries across the country in 2015 had fallen to about one-tenth of its peak.

In each region, it is small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that have primarily handled the production and distribution of products, and these regions have developed a production and distribution system based on social division of labor. However, due to the decrease in the number of local businesses, maintaining such systems has become difficult, and local SMEs are now required to take measures to ensure sustainable management. In this research lab, we are studying what efforts local SMEs in regional industries are making to secure new business partners smoothly and what kind of management support is needed for these efforts.

▲Photo 1: The warping industry in the Yonezawa weaving district of Yamagata Prefecture. This industry plays an essential role in the preparation process for textile production.

▲Photo 2: The wholesale industry in the Arita porcelain district of Saga Prefecture. This industry plays a key role in distributing regional products both domestically and internationally.