Regional Analysis: Shikoku

Zulleyka Cortez
California State University of Monterey Bay

JAPN 311
Chikaomi Takahashi
March 17, 2016

Table of Contents

I.

Introduction p.1

II.

Kagawa.....p.1
a. Growing Number of Automobiles .......p.1
b. Politicians Running unopposed ....p.1

III.

Ehime ......p.2

a. Oysters and Puffer Fish Sea Pollution/Global Warming .p.2

b. Outsourcing ..p.2
IV.

V.

Kochi ...p.3

a.

Financial Weakness .....p.3

b.

Lack of Work ...p.3

Conclusion ..p.3

INTRODUCTION
The region of Shikoku contains four prefectures. We will be talking about three: Kagawa,
Ehime, and Kochi. Shikoku suffers from many social issues; Some issues are seen all over Japan,
not just Shikoku. In Shikoku, there is a flight of youth, an aging population, and no opportunity
to grow due to geographical constrains. There other issues, those are more local such as the
traffic safety issue in Kagawa, the lack of work in Kochi or the pollution in Ehime. Shikoku
doesnt have the best geography. Since the island is separated from Honshu it has a hard time
getting economic growth. They have tried to fix this with bridges but have been unsuccessful.
Shikoku is the smallest of the four main islands, it has many volcanoes. Most of the region is
unsuitable for rice, but still does well with agriculture.

KAGAWA
Growing Number of Automobiles

Kagawa has recently been becoming more industrialized. With this, there has been a great
growth in the number of automobiles in the prefecture. Kagawa is the smallest prefecture in the
island. This small prefecture cannot handle the amount of cars that has recently immerged. The
number of roads has also been growing along with the number of accidents. To help combat this
issues. Kagawa has implemented traffic safety rules. This safety program will help drivers be
more efficient and less likely to cause accidents.

Politicians Running Unopposed

Like the rest of Japan, Kagawa is experiencing a flight of youth. Young people move out
of their hometowns in search of better jobs. Kagawa, a rural prefecture, is more likely to be
affected by the flight of young and aging population. Last year, during the Kagawa elections two
thirds of the contestants ran un opposed, showcasing the dwindling population. Kagawa is
missing people to care for the prefecture.

EHIME
Oyster and Puffer Fish
(Sea Pollution/Global Warming)
Miura Bay, is one of Japan biggest cities for the pearl industry. Here you can find the
akoya pearls, which are known to have the best quality. In, the 90s these pearls accounted for
80% of the Japanese market and 65% of the pearls sold in the United States. In the year 2000, a
disease killed 70% of the oysters which lead a huge crash in the pearl industry. It is reported that
many fisherman even committed suicide after declaring bankruptcy. This have been tied to
pollution that is killing of the creatures in the ocean and ruining the economy. Today, some are
still fishing for these oysters but many also have oyster farms. Puffer fish which was also very
common in Ehime is being affected by the pollution.

Outsourcing
Many of Ehimes largest manufacturing companies are moving overseas. They have been
moving to China and other Asian countries, since labor is a lot cheaper in these places. This
allows these companies to operate at lower cost just by moving. Though, they leave the people of

Ehime without jobs. It seems to be that giant textile companies, known for their towels, are the
ones relocating which is creating weak industrial base for the island.

KOCHI
Financial Weakness
In Kochi, there is a lack of communication between different industries which causes
financial weakness. Kochi relies too much on its fishing and agriculture industry which doesnt
allow for other fields to grow. These industries tend to be left to the older generations which
brings us back to the flight of youth. Younger people are moving out of Kochi because there
arent any suitable fields for them to join and unemployment is very high. This contributes to
depopulation and aging problem of Japan.

Declining Education Level

Kochi is suffering from having low grades. There has been a constant decline in the
childrens education that it has brought Kochi to be ranked 2nd to last in Japanese Education. The
people of Kochi fear that these children will grow up to be criminals and perform immoral acts.
They are urgently looking for a solution to this problem.

CONCLUSION
The region of Shikoku contains four prefectures, Tokushima, Kagawa, Ehime, and Kochi.
We have discussed the social issues in three out of the four Kagawa, Ehime, and Kochi. Japans
most common issues are all seen within Shikoku. There are problems of pollution, aging, and
flight of youth. Many of Shikokus economy problems might be because of the geographic

constrains that the island possesses. Despite the attempts to fix the issue nothing has been
successful. There other issues, those are more local such as the traffic safety issue in Kagawa, the
education in Kochi or the pollution in Ehime. These prefectures must find a way to stabilize their
youth and help their economy.

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