Effect of the Geographical Extent of Hinterland on Container Throughputs

抄録

Japan’s container ports are experiencing stagnation in container handling volumes, a decline in international competitiveness, and lower utilization rates due to the shrinking hinterlands caused by the increasing number of ports. Therefore, using an economic indicator called the Herfindahl-Hirschman Index, this study analyzed the extent of the hinterlands and utilization trends by prefecture of Japan’s container ports, clarifying the relationship between a port’s hinterland and its container handling volume. The results revealed that Strategic International Hub Ports such as Tokyo and Yokohama have large hinterlands, whereas many International Hub Ports and Major Ports have smaller hinterlands, limiting their container handling volumes. The utilization trends also suggest that cargo dispersion is pronounced in rural areas, and transshipments at overseas ports are frequent.