Hostname: page-component-8448b6f56d-42gr6 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-04-18T08:23:47.380Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Japanese modern municipal retail and wholesale markets in comparison with European markets

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 June 2015

MASAMI HARADA*
Affiliation:
zip code 910–1145 Fukui Prefectural University, 4-1-1 Matsuoka-kenjojima, Eiheijicho, Yoshidagun, Fukuiken, Japan

Abstract

This article seeks to assess the relevance of market ideas outside the European context. In pre-modern Japan, there was neither street market nor retail market but wholesale markets in cities. Feudal lords permitted wholesale dealers to operate in the market as long as the dealers paid either tribute such as fish or tax money to their lords. The Meiji Restoration in the late nineteenth century brought an end to the feudal system. In modern Japan, the problem of food supply in the city arose after the Japanese-Russo War. The Rice Riots broke out in 1918, and drove many cities to open their own municipal retail markets in order to supply urban dwellers with food and daily necessities. Fixed and marked price and cash payment were the operating principles of those municipal retail markets. These principles represented the characteristic features of the modern retail trade. Such municipal retail markets played an important role in the modernization of the retail trade in Japan.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2015 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1 Harada, M., Kindai Nippon Shijoshi no Kenkyu (Research of Japanese Modern Market History) (Tokyo, 1991)Google Scholar, ch. 1.

2 Hirano, T., ‘Retailing in urban Japan, 1868–1945’, Urban History, 26 (1999), 373–5CrossRefGoogle Scholar; Umemura, M. and Okawa, K., Rodoryoku (Manpower) (Tokyo, 1988)Google Scholar, ch. 4.

3 Nakamura, M., Ichiba no Kataru Nippon no Kindai (Market Telling Japanese Modern History) (Tokyo, 1981)Google Scholar, 81, fig. 1.

4 Kishinoue, K., Uo to Jinsei (Fish and Life) (Tokyo, 1915)Google Scholar, 1.

5 Royal Commission on Market Rights and Tolls, Final Report (London, 1891), 2.

6 Ibid., vol. XIV (1891), 57; Seki, M., ‘Pari ni okeru shokuryohin ichiba no hattatsu (2)’ (The development of food markets in Paris, series 2), Meidaishogakuronso (Bulletin of the Faculty of Commerce, Meiji University), 33 (1927), 40–3Google Scholar.

7 Royal Commission on Market Rights and Tolls, Final Report, 8.

8 Local Government Act (21 & 22 Victoria, c. 98), clause 50.

9 Ebel, W., Geschichte der Gezetsgebung in Deutschland, Doitsu Ripposhi, trans. Nishikawa, Y. (Tokyo, 1985), 64Google Scholar.

10 Dawson, W.H., Municipal Life and Government in Germany (London, New York, Bombay, Calcutta and Madras, 1914), 40, 443Google Scholar.

11 Akiyama, K., Kinsei Kyoto Chogumi Hattatsushi (History of Development of Group of Cho) (Tokyo, 1980), 265–6Google Scholar.

12 Nakamura, Ichiba no Kataru Nippon no Kindai, 49–51.

13 Ohno, I., Pari wo Chushin ni Mitaru Obei no Oroshiuri-ichiba (Observations on Wholesale Markets of Paris and Europe and America) (Kyoto, 1928), 41–2Google Scholar.

14 Yata, S. (ed.), Toshi Keieiron (Theory of City Management) (Tokyo, 1907), 188Google Scholar.

15 Yoshida, N., Kyodai Jokamachi Edo no Bunsetsu Kozo (Segmented Structure of Huge Castle Town Edo) (Tokyo, 1999), 270–83Google Scholar; Goto, M., Kinsei Gyogyo Shakai no Kenkyu (Research of Pre-Modern Fishing Communities) (Tokyo, 2001), 270–83Google Scholar; Harada, M., ‘Bakumatsu ni okeru okigyogyo no tenkai to uodonya-shiire' (Development of fishing industry and relationship between wholesalers and fishermen in the late Edo era), Shijoshi Kenkyu (Journal of Market History), 27 (2007), 147–53Google Scholar.

16 Zenkoku Juyo Uoichiba Rengokai, Dainikai Zenkoku Jyuyo Uoichiba Rengokai Yoroku (The Second Record of the National Association of Important Wholesale Fish Market) (1913), 18; Furusawa, S., Kinji Unai Taisei Ippan: Dai Nihen (Aspect of Recent Major World Trends: Second Part) (Kyoto, 1913), 18Google Scholar.

17 Yamaguchi Prefectural Archives, Taisho Gannen Uoichiba Ikken (Documents of Fish Markets), 1913; Uoichiba Chosahyo (Survey List of Fish Markets), 1910.

18 Harada, M., ‘Ichiba-kosetsuron no kento’ (Historical consideration of municipal markets), in Ando, S. and Fujita, T. (eds.), Shijo to Keiei no Rekishi (History of Market and Business) (Osaka, 1996), 107–11Google Scholar.

19 Gyoseisaibansho Hanketsuroku (Records of Judgments of Administrative Court), 15th series, 4 (Tokyo, 1904), 306–10.

20 Ibid., 31st series, 8 (1920), 771–8.

21 Zenkoku Juyo Uoichiba Rengokai, Dainikai Zenkoku Juyo Uoichiba Rengokai Yoroku, 15–16.

22 ‘Uoichibahoan shuseiiken’ (An opinion of an amendment bill of fish market bill), Chugaisho- gyoshinpo, 25 and 27 Sep. 1912; ‘Uoichibaho-kiseidomeikai; Zenkokusuisantaikaikaisai’ (Success of association of call for quick parliamentary approve of fish market bill), Chugaisyoghoshinpo, 29 Sep. 1912.

23 Otsuki, R., Berulin Shisei no Kio oyobi Genzai (Past and Present of Urban Administration of Berlin) (Kyoto, 1901), ch. 10Google Scholar.

24 Katayama, S., Toshishakaishugi (Municipal Socialism) (Tokyo, 1903)Google Scholar, ch. 20.

25 Abe, I., Oyo Shiseiron (On Applied Municipal Administration) (Tokyo, 1908)Google Scholar, ch. 10.

26 Seisanchosakai, Dai Sankai Seisanchosakai Rokuji (The Third Proceedings of Seisanchosakai) (Tokyo, 1912), 61–2.

27 Toda, K., ‘Futsuichiba to torihikisho’ (Market and stock exchange), Kyotohogakkai-zasshi (Kyoto Law Review), 26 (1907), 25Google Scholar, 7–13.

28 Kawatsu, S., ‘Kokaiichiba setchi no kachi’ (The value of the establishment of the open market), Nippon Keizai Shinshi (New Journal of Japanese Economy), 104 (1911), 47Google Scholar; idem, ‘Kouriseido no kaizen to kokaiichiba’ (Improvement of the retail system and open market), Mitagakkai-zasshi (Mita Journal of Economics), 6–1 (1912), 1, 11-16; idem, ‘Kokaiichiba ni tsukite’ (On the open market), Hogakukyokai-zasshi (Journal of the Jurisprudence Association), 30–3 (1912), 34-7.

29 Tokyo City Office, Shijoshiei nikansuru Chosahokokusho (Investigative Report of Municipalization of Market) (Tokyo, 1912), 31–2Google Scholar.

30 Harada, Kindai Nippon Shijoshi no Kenkyu, 53–4.

31 ‘Tokyo uoichiba mondai’ (Problems of Tokyo fish market), Suisankai (Journal of the Fisheries Society of Japan), 429 (1918), 3–39.

32 Harada, Kindai Nippon Shijoshi no Kenkyu, 117–25.

33 Ibid., 120–2; Hirota, M., Kindai Nippon no Nichiyohin-kouriichiba (Daily Commodities Retail Markets in Modern Japan) (Osaka, 2007), 4959Google Scholar.

34 Naimusho (Home Ministry), Shakaijigyochosakai hokoku (Investigate Report of Social Work) (1922), 72–9.

35 Harada, Kindai Nippon Shijoshi no Kenkyu, 191–9.

36 Ikeuchi, R., ‘Mingyo heisa no hosho nitsuite’ (On compensation of closure of private business), Kokuminkeizai-zasshi (Journal of Political Economy), 423 (1927), 3Google Scholar, 9.