New Demands of Aircraft Components and Responding Behaviour to Next-generation Aircraft in Peripheral Regions

A Case Study of Akita Prefecture

Abstract

In this study, I propose a novel ordering process through regional decentralization in the aircraft industry, based on the relationship between the industrial policy in the peripheral regions and the ordering process of aircraft components. In the 2010s, some companies received new orders for aircraft components in the Tohoku and Hokkaido regions following the increased production of commercial aircraft. Although the machinery industry has not been relatively strong in the Tohoku and Hokkaido areas, a new trend of some local companies entering the aircraft components industry and accepting orders has emerged in these regions.

Some doubts have been raised on whether it is possible to receive new orders for aircraft components in peripheral regions where the machinery industry has traditionally not been strong. Akita Prefecture has remained a spatial and technical periphery for the aircraft industry because its machine industry lacks processing and technical standards, dedicated procurement divisions, and research and development （R&D） functions needed for aircraft components. This is very much like the spatial and technical periphery barriers in the electrical and electronic industries. In spite of this, the region has overcome the spatial and technical periphery barriers in the aircraft industry through industrial policies that have resulted in production consistency, dedicated purchase divisions, and robust R&D functions.