Functional Classification of Sea Ports in Tohoku

Abstract

The main ports in Tohoku amount to twelve. The writer classified them into three categories from the view-point of their functions.
The first categoriy is a group of the ports the emphasis of which is laid on import of the raw materials for industry such as mineral ores and pulp wood. Nine cases out of twlve belong to this category. They are Onahama, Ishinomaki, Ofunado, Kamaishi, Miyako, Hachinohe, Funakawa, Akita and Sakata. These port cities have large factories of iron-steel, metal-smelting and chemical industries, and the factories are ordinarily combined with the piers of the ports. These ports should be regarded as “industrial ports”.
Shiriyazaki is the typical port belonging to the second category. The port is exclusively used for exportation of raw matrials for industry produced in the neighbouring area.
The third is a group of the ports which export and import miscellaneous goods including daily necessities. Two ports, Shiogama and Aomori, come under the category.
Generally speaking, the ports wih the large piers for ships of over 10, 000 tons are operating actively, and many of these facilities have been constructured since about 1960 in Tohoku. Thus we may say that the freight traffic of the ports in Tohoku has beenrapidly developed within the last decade.