Industry Trends by Sector
(1) Manufacturing
Of Kobe's manufacturing plants, 1,862 employed 4 or more workers in 2011. The total number of workers employed was 73,018 and the total value of shipments was 2,792.3 billion yen. Since the structure of industry in Kobe was developed around the city's port, port-related industry (sea transport and cargo handling and logistics) and port-dependent industry (shipbuilding, steel, rubber, foreign trade, etc.) occupy a significant portion of the industrial base. Of particular note, among Kobe's manufacturing industries, foodstuffs, general machinery, electronic machinery, info-communications machinery, transport machinery, steel, chemical industry are responsible for 78.1% of all plant shipments from within the city limits. Moreover, Western-style footwear, furniture, baked goods, clothing, and other industries spawned by Western culture, together with Japanese sake brewing, took root as local industries.
Of Kobe's manufacturing plants, 1,862 employed 4 or more workers in 2011. The total number of workers employed was 73,018 and the total value of shipments was 2,792.3 billion yen. Since the structure of industry in Kobe was developed around the city's port, port-related industry (sea transport and cargo handling and logistics) and port-dependent industry (shipbuilding, steel, rubber, foreign trade, etc.) occupy a significant portion of the industrial base. Of particular note, among Kobe's manufacturing industries, foodstuffs, general machinery, electronic machinery, info-communications machinery, transport machinery, steel, chemical industry are responsible for 78.1% of all plant shipments from within the city limits. Moreover, Western-style footwear, furniture, baked goods, clothing, and other industries spawned by Western culture, together with Japanese sake brewing, took root as local industries.
(2) Wholesale Trade
Kobe's wholesale trade in 2007 was comprised of a total of 4,625 stores, 46,600 employees, and 4065.4 billion yen in sales turnover, with each accounting for 1.4%, 1.3%, and 0.98% of national totals, respectively.
(3) Retail Trade
Kobe's retail trade industry in 2007 was comprised of 14,607 stores, 99,619 employees, and sales turnover of 1,796.4 billion yen, accounting for 1.3% of national totals. The attrition rate of Kobe's business establishments is low, employee growth rates are high, and the attrition rate of annual sales is high in comparison with national levels. Sales totals from the retail industry in Kobe are thought to have dropped as sharply as they did as a result of the nationwide slump in consumer spending that occurred in the midst of Kobe's recovery from the earthquake. This was then compounded by worsening employment rates which acted to reinforce the penchant for consumers to hold on to their money.
(4) Foreign Trade
Within Kobe city limits there are approximately 1,000 trade companies actively trading with dealers overseas. The following points characterize these businesses. (1) 70% of all businesses are small to medium size (capitalized at 30,000,000 or less). (2) 40% of these businesses are engaged in both import and export, 39% import only, and 21% export only. (3) In terms of exports, businesses dealing in machinery are the most prevalent at 35.2%, followed by sundry goods at 21.4%, then foodstuffs at 11.7%. In imports, on the other hand, sundry goods are most prevalent at 38.3%, followed by foodstuffs at 20.4%, then machinery at 14.4%. Looking at the regions traded with, Asian NIEs (Newly Industrializing Economies) including Korea, Taiwan, Singapore and Hong Kong are the most prevalent at 51.8%, followed by China at 33.1%, ASEAN members (Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines and Indonesia) at 26.6%, North America at 22.3% and Europe at 21.6. In imports, those from China are most prevalent at 48.5%, followed by Asian NIEs at 33.8%, Europe at 23.7%, North America at 14.6%, and ASEAN members at 13.1%.
(5) Transport Industry
Roadway transport, harbor transport, warehousing, and other facets of the transport industry developed thanks to the port of Kobe, and further growth is foreseen as the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, the world's longest suspension bridge, was completed in 1998.
Kobe Airport was opened on February 16, 2006. It is situated on an artificial island just off the coast of Kobe. It is designated as a third class airport, administrated by the local government. It primarily handles domestic flights, but can also accommodate international charter flights and business jets. In 2012, a total of 2,406,832 passengers came through the airport.
Kobe Airport is only 8 km or about 15 minutes by car from central Kobe. KCCI has contributed immensely to the construction of Kobe Airport. We expect that Kobe Airport will attract not only foreign companies but also Japanese companies here in Kobe.
Kobe Airport was opened on February 16, 2006. It is situated on an artificial island just off the coast of Kobe. It is designated as a third class airport, administrated by the local government. It primarily handles domestic flights, but can also accommodate international charter flights and business jets. In 2012, a total of 2,406,832 passengers came through the airport.
Kobe Airport is only 8 km or about 15 minutes by car from central Kobe. KCCI has contributed immensely to the construction of Kobe Airport. We expect that Kobe Airport will attract not only foreign companies but also Japanese companies here in Kobe.
(6) Service Industry
With the recent softening of the economy, greater and greater importance is being attributed to the service industry in Kobe. In addition to the aforementioned promotion of Kobe's fashion industry, energy is also being put into efforts to attract tourists and conventions.
Looking at the situation of foreign trade and the port of Kobe, exports in 2012 amounted to 5,010 billion yen or 7.9% of the national total, which was a year-on-year increase of -6.7%. Imports were 2,624 billion yen or 3.7% of the national total, which was an increase of -3.3%.
Primary export products were general-use machinery, electric machinery, raw materials, chemical products, and transportation equipment. Of the primary import products, foodstuffs, chemical products, raw materials, general-use machinery and textile goods were at the top of the list.
Looking at the situation of foreign trade and the port of Kobe, exports in 2012 amounted to 5,010 billion yen or 7.9% of the national total, which was a year-on-year increase of -6.7%. Imports were 2,624 billion yen or 3.7% of the national total, which was an increase of -3.3%.
Primary export products were general-use machinery, electric machinery, raw materials, chemical products, and transportation equipment. Of the primary import products, foodstuffs, chemical products, raw materials, general-use machinery and textile goods were at the top of the list.
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Copyright©2010 The Kobe Chamber of Commerce & Industry. All rights reserved.
Copyright©2010 The Kobe Chamber of Commerce & Industry. All rights reserved.