2009 Volume 50 Issue 1 Pages 1-20
Nagasaki prefecture is one of the top producing areas of boiled-dried fish (niboshi) in Japan. This processing industry and purse seine fishery which supplies material contribute to the rural economy. This paper examines the system sustained niboshi industry from the view points of both of production and cooperative marketing (kyouhan).
High niboshi production has been caused by a stable catch of anchovy as material by purse seine fishery, investment and technical improvement both in fishery and processing, and a trust system in processing. The trust system in processing involving mean of a share of sale between the fishery and the factory functions for high productivity, higher-quality products, and cost reduction. The mass production type and the high quality type of management are formed according to the quality and volume of material.
Niboshi marketing in Nagasaki prefecture heavy depends on kyouhan which is managed by the prefectural federation of fisheries cooperatives. This cooperative marketing compensates for the disadvantage of a location and for small producers with a weak marketability. The kyouhan system draws many buyers resulting in high price formation, sets certain charge payment, and stimulates nationwide sales and the trust system in processing.
