Diffusion of technologies in Japan's wine industry

Evidence from Katsunuma area, Koshu city, Yamanashi prefecture

Abstract

Many studies about industrial clusters have clarified their static structure and/or interconnectivity among actors there.  This article examines the dynamic diffusion of technological knowledge in Japan's Katsunuma wine cluster which locates 100 km away from Tokyo.  The three case studies selected are Sur Lie as enology, rain protection system as viticulture and Kiiroka (yellow fragrance in English) as both technologies.  The results show that (1) national wineries work as technological gatekeepers, (2) technologies tend to be diffused via locally embedded networks and (3) hierarchy of diffusion has become more flexible as local wineries gained their levels of technological knowledge.