本文
Ehime Prefecture, Manufacturing the Most on Shikoku
The Largest Manufacture in Shikoku (Manufacturing Industry)
Manufacturing Industry in Ehime
Ehime Prefecture has the largest amount of manufacturing on Shikoku island, with the value of shipped manufactured goods accounting for approximaTely 40% of the whole of Shikoku. When this is broken down into types of goods, basic materials industries such as paper/pulp, chemical, oil/coal, non-ferrous metals account for a high percentage; while the percentage of manufacturing and assembly, such as transport and electric machinery is relatively low.
The proportion of the paper/pulp industry is relatively higher in Ehime than the nationwide average, which is attributed to paper related companies clustered in Shikokuchuo City.
The foodstuffs industry also has a relatively high shipment value due to the major food manufacturers located in the Chuyo and Toyo regions.
Even though the ratio for the transport machinery industry is not so high, Ehime has Japan’s top shipbuilding company. Now that the demand for ships is rising throughout the world, the shipment value for this industry is steadily increasing.
Manufactured goods shipment value |
3,739.2 million yen |
---|---|
Added value of industrial products |
9,675 million yen |
Number of employees (secondary industry) |
72,993 offices |
The total number of employees (Secondary industry) |
220,000 people |
|
1985 |
1990 |
1995 |
2000 |
2005 |
2009 |
Manufactured goods shipment value |
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 |
Electronic machinery |
Paper/pulp products |
Electronic machinery |
Electronic machinery |
Paper/pulp products |
machinery for transportation |
576,514 |
Ships |
2 |
Chemicals |
Chemicals |
Paper/pulp products |
Chemicals |
Chemicals |
Paper/pulp products |
544,152 |
Printing/ |
3 |
Paper/pulp products |
Electronic machinery |
Chemicals |
Paper/pulp products |
Petroleum/coal |
Non-ferrous metal |
446,137 |
Copper, gold, and nickel |
4 |
Machinery |
Machinery |
Machinery |
Machinery |
Non-ferrous metal |
Petroleum/coal |
350,400 |
Petroleum |
5 |
Foodstuffs |
Foodstuffs |
Foodstuffs |
Foodstuffs |
Foodstuffs |
Chemicals |
350,106 |
Organic chemical, |
Paper/Pulp Products
Shikokuchuo City has over 300 companies that are related to the paper manufacturing and paper processing industry.
One such example is a comprehensive paper manufacturer whose production capacity of paper and paperboard from a single factory is the highest in Japan.
Others include top domestic manufacturers in tea leaf packs, diapers and sanitary goods. The items produced vary from household paper to industrial-strength paper; paper with specialized functions, paper-made sanitary products, and gift-wrapping string. Many of the products were originally developed by local Ehime companies. Some examples include adult diapers, and packs that are used to make tea from leaf tea.
In recent years, new product development is focusing on pursuing a "comfortable lifestyle" and "issues of environmental concern, the declining birthrate and the graying of society". Some examples of these are the development of paper with inTelligence, and an environmentally friendly pulp mold that could become a substitute for styrofoam.
Ehime Paper Industry Research Center is working toward the promotion and upgrading of the paper related industry in ways such as research and technological support for the paper industry, as well as diffusion and edification of paper culture.
Shipbuilding
Shipbuilding has been Ehime Prefecture's typical local industry.
Imabari City has the largest grouping of ship-building related companies in Japan, and has a major local company that has the top volume of domestic completion of newly-built ships and which accounts for 15% of domestic construction volume.
This is a primary reason that Ehime's economy is an export economy.
Around Imabari City, there is a large shipbuilding yard for 300,000 ton-class extra-large tankers, small to medium sized building docks, ship-equipment manufacturers, and other ship machinery manufacturers which produce such items as cranes.
Imabari City was formed in January 2005 when a number of smaller municipalities amalgamated. With the amalgamation, Imabari had one of the highest concentrations of companies involved in shipbuilding and maritime transportation in the world.
As a result of this, the city formulated a “Maritime affairs city plan” which promoted the formation of maritime industry clusters in order that regional resources could best be used for local development, the cultivation of human resources for the next generation and the development of maritime industries.
In April 2005 for instance, Imabari Shipbuilding Research Center was opened up through the cooperation of the government and the private sector, in order to cope with one of the shipbuilding industry's most important issues; the aging of technical experts and the resultant shortage of such experts. The center is currently cultivating younger engineers and passing shipbuilding techniques on to the next generation.
Chemicals/Nonferrous Metals/General Machines
Since mining started at Besshi copper mine in the Edo period, Niihama City was established as Sumitomo's business stronghold. In and around Niihama, as well as the Sumitomo related companies, which are the world's largest producer of high purity alumina and a factory which is the top producer of gold in Japan, there is a grouping of medium to small sized companies that function as subcontract factories that support the major heavy-equipment manufacturers and non-ferrous metals & chemical producers by providing maintenance and producing parts.
Also, in the vicinity of Matsuyama City, there is a major chemical factory that produces high-performance carbon fiber and polycarbonate resin for DVDs, a boiler manufacturer that makes small-scale once-through boilers that holds the top share in the domestic market, and a major agricultural machinery manufacturer.
These companies are contributing to exports as well as expanding their overseas operations.
Within the medium to small sized companies in Ehime Prefecture, there are distinctive and diverse machinery manufacturers such as top domestic manufacturers of citrus fruit sorting machines, top domestic manufacturers of door gaskets for refrigerators, and a health care machinery manufacturer that specializes in welfare and nursing-care machines and is actively developing new products.
Environment
One of the noteworthy industries in Ehime is the industry associated with unique and distinguished environmental cleansing technologies and products.
"Ehime AI-1", which was developed at Ehime Research Institute of Technology is an environmental cleansing microbe material based on naturally existing microorganisms such as natto bacillus and lactic acid bacteria.
It was found that this microbe material is effective in improving water quality, and reducing odor and polluted sludge. This technology was transferred from the Ehime Research Institute of Technology to a local company which has put the technology into production and is currently exploring new business opportunities domestically as well as overseas.
This "Ehime AI-1" technology was introduced at the "CLAIR Environmental Forum" held in Australia in October 2006. Another technology attracting worldwide attention is a "reverse osmosis membrane element" technology produced by a major chemical factory in Ehime which can be used at seawater desalination plants.
Other unique technologies and products include; a drainage treatment system that is combined with a new activated sludge method, a water quality improvement system that utilizes ceramics, and a bio-diesel fuel production technology using waste edible oil. All of these technologies have been developed into practical applications and are expected to be used in areas in the world where economic development has caused environmental pollution.
Towels
The towel manufacturing industry is one of the industries that is commonly associated with Ehime Prefecture.
Clustered throughout Imabari City and the surrounding area, there are about 300 manufacturers involved in towel weaving, dyeing, printing, and sewing. The production volume of these companies exceeds 50% of the domestic share.
In order to differentiate their products from inexpensive imported towels, the Ehime manufacturers are working towards developing high-value added and high functionality towel products such as apparel products (towel-scarf, hats and shirts) that use specially-woven fabrics, bathroom and beauty products that are highly water absorbent, and nursing-care products with antimicrobial deodorant qualities, or using environmentally-friendly methods of producing towels.
In an effort to establish an "Imabari towel brand", a new brand-mark is being created to appeal to and make Imabari towels known to consumers.
As well, efforts are being made to establish the world's first towel quality standard using such criteria as softness, silkiness, and lightness.
Foodstuffs
In Ehime Prefecture where nature is bountiful and the climate mild, agricultural and fisheries resources have been abundant. This has resulted in a number of unique food products.
The dried bonito flakes manufacturing industry has been thriving around Iyo City, where there are two top domestic producers.
There are also many seafood processes centered around Masaki Town that make delicacies using the abundant seafood from the Seto Inland Sea.
In the areas around Uwajima and Yawatahama cities, minced Eso (lizard fish) and Hotarujako (glowbelly) meat is processed into Kamaboko or Jakoten.
There is a top domestic producer in Imabari City that produces seasoning sauces such as for grilled meat.
In Saijo City, a major beer brewer has a factory that makes good use of the high quality water available.
Also in Ehime Prefecture, there are distinct food processing manufacturers such as the top domestic extractor and maker of mandarin orange juice, a ham and sausage manufacturer that supplies meat patties for the major hamburger chains, the largest local Japanese and western confectioner with high-volume production, and a natural flavor enhancer maker that takes advantage of biotechnology. These companies have received HACCP and ISO9000 series certification to ensure food safety, in anticipation of extending their markets overseas.