The aim of this paper is to analyze the development of the Japanese electric lamp industry after the Russo-Japanese war. Subsequent to the war, the Japanese electric power industry grew rapidly, and there was a substantial increase in the supply of electric lighting. In this robust market, the Japanese electric lamp industry gradually gained ascendency over imported lamps.
In 1905, the Tokyo Electric Company entered into a capital and technical alliance with General Electric. Tokyo Electric as a subsidiary of GE attained the advantage in the Japanese market. Further, Tokyo Electric had a close connection with large customers and reliable information on the Japanese market. Conversely, GE had superior mass production technology. Owing to the combination of the above-mentioned strong points, Tokyo Electric expanded the supply of market-oriented quality products.
Simultaneously, several manufacturers also entered the market. A number of these mature influential firms established close connections with large customers. The competition between Tokyo Electric and those influential firms facilitated the growth of the electric lamp industry.
Meanwhile, the technical development of electric lamp was very rapid. In Europe and USA, several new types of lamps were developed. The most important product was the drawn-wire tungsten filament lamp, and it was developed by GE. As a result of the introduction of technology and supply of tungsten filament from GE, Tokyo Electric succeeded in manufacturing the new product.
GE's strong patent gave Tokyo Electric a monopoly in the Japanese market. However, the coexistence of Tokyo Electric with several small-scale manufacturers continued. The increase in the supply of engineers and skilled laborers, the formation of related industry, and the close relationship and financial contribution with large customers facilitated entry and growth of small manufacturers. Moreover, several manufacturers attempted to open the retail market and export.
