Traditional Industries and Local Industries Rooted
in the Local Society |
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Industries based on local resources and historical
background are regarded as "traditional industries" or "local
industries". Various such industries havesupported Oita's local
economy, such as the brewing or distilling industries passed down
from prewar days as traditional industries, or the cement industry
and shipbuilding industry which are part of the local industries.
Even though current trends are changing the industrial structure rapidly,
these local industries and traditional industries are still rooted
in the local society.
Hita City has an excellent cedar plantation in the mountains and has
prospered with the production of cedar products since the day of the
Shogunal demesne in the Edo era. However, it is still considered a
newcomer in the field of furniture manufacturing when it comes to
the furniture producing history. Furniture with wooden legs, including
sofa and coffee table sets, dining tables and chairs have been manufactured
in Hita, and the area has grown as a furniture-producing center since
1955. 44% of the total furniture products shipmentfrom Oita Prefecture
is made up of Hita City products.
Oita is proud to have Japan's largest output of bamboo. It is said
that the production of bamboo crafts in Beppu City and its outskirts
began in the Muromachi period (1338-1573), and this industry has created
delicate bamboo crafts with fine local bamboo and are in high demand
as souvenirs for tourists. "Beppu Bamboo Craft" was appointed
as the national "Traditional Craft" in 1979. Also this bamboo
craft is one of Beppu's One Village One Product items whose annual
sales is over one billion yen. There is a wide range of products including
more than 3,000 items such as tableware, accessories, folk toys, and
traditional flower vases and baskets weaved using traditional techniques.
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Local Industries Enrich the Local Society |
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Based on the rich natural pure water available
here, brewing or distilling industries are flourishing in every part
of Oita Prefecture, and it is almost impossible to count the number
of breweries. In particular, "mugi shochu" or barley distilled
spirits produced in Usa and Hiji enjoys much popularity because of
its soft taste, and the "Shochu boom" began around 1985
with it. "Mugi shochu" brought about an improved image of
"shochu" as something that is fresh and cool. Oita's "mugi
shochu" is one of the national brands, like the sweet potato
shochu of Kagoshima, buckwheat shochu of Miyazaki, and rice shochu
of Kumamoto. The shipment amount of "mugi shochu" is the
largest in Japan, surpassing even Kagoshima's, and is one of the most
popular products in the One Village One Product Movement. Usuki City,
which has been known as a town of brewing since olden days, has factories
producing soy source, fermented soy bean paste, sake, and shochu.
Some of the companies of soy sauce and fermented soy bean paste take
pride in producing the best production in Kyushu. In spite of the
fact that the products of fermented soy bean paste and soy sauce of
Usuki are heavily dependent on locality, they have expanded their
markets to all ofKyushu. Therefore, Usuki City has the second largest
output in food production after Oita City.
Cement-related industries are flourishing in Tsukumi City, thanks
to a larg e vein of limestone with an estimated deposit of 4.5 billion
tons, as well as an excellent natural pier designated as a Major Port.
Cement and other lime-stone products are exported overseas, in particular
to South East Asia and Middle East as well as within Japan, and have
an excellent reputation. In addition to these products, traditional
crafts such as Onta pottery and the shipbuilding industry in Southern
prefecture have also contributed to enriching the local economy as
local industries by providing employment opportunities to the local
people. |
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Hita Cedar
Geta (wooden clogs)
Bamboo Crafts
Sake and "Mugi Shochu"
Warehouse of Fermented Soy Bean Paste in Usuki
Shipbuilding Industry in Southern Prefecture (Launching Ceremony of Container
Ship in Saiki City)
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