Locational adjustment and industrial agglomeration of shipbuilding amid international competition

Abstract

This paper analyzes locational adjustment and industrial agglomeration of shipbuilding industry. Amid international competition, large enterprises in metropolitan areas cut shipbuilding sector. On the other hand, the production quantity of small and medium enterprises on Seto Inland Sea has significantly increased. Imabari is the center of shipbuilding enterprises on Seto Inland Sea. Imabari has original and multiple industrial agglomerations, composed of small ship machinery enterprises, headquarters of shipbuilding enterprises, ship owners, and trading companies. In the agglomerations, there is a unique organization, "Mujin-no-kai", which coordinates each interest. Belonging to it ensures the access to informal information unavailable in other areas.