Abstract
Concerning the distribution of littoral relay warehouses, the warehouses of cement and petroleum products center on Nagoya Port, though rather dispersed locations can also be found. On the contrary there is a remarkable concentration of steel warehouses at Nagoya Port. This occurs because steel, which is heavy and solid, with a diversity of products, can be loaded more efficiently, and because of the ever-present demand at that location.
The shipping areas of cement for littoral relay warehouses center in the western area of Japan where there is a surplus of production. Steel warehouses cross all of Japan. This is affected by the varieties of products, locations and production capacities of steel mills. Petroleum product warehouses range from the Kanto area to the Kansai area; mainly centering in the Tokai area. Because few differences are found among products of oil refineries, receiving from the nearby vicinity is promoted.
Though cement and petroleum products are marketed most in Aichi Pref., these also are marketed comparatively well in Gifu Pref. and Mie Pref., while steel is marketed overwhelmingly in Aichi Pref. This high demand for steel comes from development of automobile industry in Aichi Pref. Gifu Pref. consumes a large amount of cement to control land and water. Petroleum products are marketed well in Mie Pref. because a large quantity of naphtha is produced at group oil refineries in Yokkaichi.
Areal difference between sales shares tends to be determined by the shares of the prefectures where the mills exist. Usually sales share extends remarkably in the prefecture where the mills exist and in adjoining prefectures.
