日本の軽工業と輸出検査制度

抄録

The export inspection system in Japan is one of the contributing factors in establishing high-quality of exported goods. The goods that were “MADE IN JAPAN” were viewed as “cheaper and inferior” by the advanced countries in the past. The export inspection system regulated to refrain from exporting “strategically nominated goods” whose quality levels were below certain levels. The export regulation was done by the Raw Silk Conditioning Houses Law (1895-1911), and the Export Inspection Law (1957-1997), etc. for about 100 years.
We investigated the role of this system focusing on the camera which developed into the export industry soon after World War II, and focusing on sewing machine, clock & watch, binoculars, and interchangeable lens. We confirmed that this system functioned effectively in improving the quality of these goods at one time. But, this system was one of the factors that improved the quality of Japanese goods and leaded to the establishment of Japanese goods as a high-quality image. The quality control movement and technical improvement in a company implemented this system effectively, too.
We concluded that this system was effective in strengthening non-price competitiveness of Japanese products and that it was instrumental in achieving export promotion from the aspect of quality improvement. The export inspection system through the guideline of government finished the original mission because of improvement at technical level of Japanese products. At present, this system was abolished.