1:45 PM - 3:15 PM
[O07-P02] Discussion on Economic Effects of Muroto Deep Sea Water – How Does Deep Sea Water Industry Contribute to Revitalize the Community? –
This research will reveal how much deep sea water industry contributes to economic development in Muroto City, Kochi Prefecture.
Muroto City has a very unique underwater topography especially in the west coast of the City. Approximately 2 to 3 km off the land, a steep cliff is formed and the ocean depth suddenly falls into about 1,000m. Due to the cliff underwater, deep sea water upwells and approaches to the land. It allows Muroto to intake deep sea water easily with low coast, compared with other area in the world. In 1989, Kochi Prefectural Deep Sea Water Laboratory was established in Muroto City. That was the very first research facility on deep sea water in Japan then. Since the establishment of the facility, the number of deep sea water-related companies and facilities has been increased in the City. The biggest number of such companies and facilities is 14 in 2010, 2012, and 2014. The latest survey shows that those numbers are 11 as of 2019.
Those deep sea water industry development has been recognized as a new local industry in the area. Deep sea water products, such as bottled water and cosmetics, has been publicized and commercialized all over Japan. It is predicted that the industry brought a big economic effect to Muroto City. This research utilizes 1) the number of companies and facilities, 2) creation of new employment, 3) the number of visitors to deep sea water-related facilities as data to analyze a scale of economic effect and a level of contribution to Muroto City’s economic development. In order to obtain precise data, this research is implemented with a collaboration with Muroto City Industrial Promotion Section, Deep sea water-related companies, and Muroto Geopark Promotion Committee.
This research will also compare the scale of economic effect of deep sea water industry with other local industry, fishery and agriculture. If a result can be determined that deep sea water industry plays a more significant role in terms of local economic development than other industry, this research will also analyze main cause of it. According to surveys and interviews implemented so far, any specific studies or analysis has not been done to find why deep sea water industry has been success in Muroto. It is expected that a reason will be a key for local revitalization in this City.
Muroto City has a very unique underwater topography especially in the west coast of the City. Approximately 2 to 3 km off the land, a steep cliff is formed and the ocean depth suddenly falls into about 1,000m. Due to the cliff underwater, deep sea water upwells and approaches to the land. It allows Muroto to intake deep sea water easily with low coast, compared with other area in the world. In 1989, Kochi Prefectural Deep Sea Water Laboratory was established in Muroto City. That was the very first research facility on deep sea water in Japan then. Since the establishment of the facility, the number of deep sea water-related companies and facilities has been increased in the City. The biggest number of such companies and facilities is 14 in 2010, 2012, and 2014. The latest survey shows that those numbers are 11 as of 2019.
Those deep sea water industry development has been recognized as a new local industry in the area. Deep sea water products, such as bottled water and cosmetics, has been publicized and commercialized all over Japan. It is predicted that the industry brought a big economic effect to Muroto City. This research utilizes 1) the number of companies and facilities, 2) creation of new employment, 3) the number of visitors to deep sea water-related facilities as data to analyze a scale of economic effect and a level of contribution to Muroto City’s economic development. In order to obtain precise data, this research is implemented with a collaboration with Muroto City Industrial Promotion Section, Deep sea water-related companies, and Muroto Geopark Promotion Committee.
This research will also compare the scale of economic effect of deep sea water industry with other local industry, fishery and agriculture. If a result can be determined that deep sea water industry plays a more significant role in terms of local economic development than other industry, this research will also analyze main cause of it. According to surveys and interviews implemented so far, any specific studies or analysis has not been done to find why deep sea water industry has been success in Muroto. It is expected that a reason will be a key for local revitalization in this City.