円高と瀬戸の珪砂

Abstract

This paper presents an effect of the high Yen-rate on the Seto (Aichi) district and its countermeasures. The Seto district is famous for its production of glass sand, which is mainly used as the raw material for glass. About 47% of whole glass sand demand, in particular 60% of glass sand for glass, is provided from the mines in this district. The glass sand mining industry was once a comparatively stable business, but is being seriously affected by the recent high Yen-rate. The most serious problem is that glass industries, which need a large quantity of glass sand, are studying to switch the raw materials for glass from Seto glass sand to the imported one which dropped in price because of the high Yen-rate. Since potter's clay is produced as a by-product in the process of sifting raw gravel from glass sand, the high Yen-rate problem may also effect on pottery industries in Seto. In order to overcome this problem, authors firstly have investigated whether Seto glass sand include more profitable components for glass manufacturing than imported glass sand, apart from the price. Secondly, how much Seto glass sand should be cut in price to win the rival, considering transportation cost. Lastly, we have studied some countermeasures for the high Yen-rate problem.