拡大する世界の海苔市場と韓国海苔メーカーの対応行動

─主体間の関係変化に注目して─

抄録

In Japan, popular demand （commercial use） such as convenience stores, supermarkets and revolving sushi restaurants （“Kaiten-Sushi”） is at the center of Seaweed-laver market.　While Japanese manufacturers increase their handling of foreign raw materials, imports of Korean Seaweed-laver increases itself as they are considered suitable for the popular demand in Japanese market.　We focus on the current situation of Korean Seaweed-laver manufacturers that play their role as the key players in Seaweed-laver trade with Japan and the world.

We confirmed that, as the overseas Seaweed-laver market expands, the main suppliers are Korea, Japan, China and Thailand.　The products targeted by manufacturers of various countries, such as commercial and Japanese-style seasoned laver in Japan and China, and seaweed snack in Thailand, were characterized.　With the government’s political support, Korea expands its exports mainly to Korean-style seasoned laver and seaweed snacks, while the export destinations are diversified to include the United States, China and Thailand.

There are two moves by Korean laver manufacturers.　First of all, there are many small manufacturers in Korea due to the differentiation of the laver industry and they are concentrating on the domestic market.　As Japanese companies’ entry into Korean domestic market strengthens the competition to secure raw laver materials and faces rising production costs such as wages.　Therefore the alliance among business partners is drawing attention from small scale manufacturers.　Major seasoned laver manufacturers and comprehensive food companies （called secondary processor） are leading the change in relations between Korean manufacturers.　Through the integration of rear （upstream） industries such as aquaculture and primary processors （dried laver manufacturer）, the procurement of raw materials has been stabilized and cooperation has been established through joint ventures with Japanese manufacturers.　Furthermore, it was characterized by horizontal integration, such as mergers and acquisitions between partners, to expand its management scale.　The restructuring of the relationship between Korean manufacturing entities is aimed at moving their key-market from domestic to overseas.