The Reorganization of the Japanese Automobile Firms during the Wartime::A Case Study of <I>Nihonnainenki</I> and <I>Nihonjidosha</I>
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概要
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The purpose of this article is to study the process and features of the so-called 'military transition' of the Japanese automobile firms during the wartime. 'Small vehicle' manufacturing sector and automobile sales sector were then repressed by the military government, for they were thought to be unfitted to military use. Therefore, these sectors were compelled to change their product item, otherwise to be closed and to supply their labor forces to the military sector. In the meanwhile, the vast amount of capital for constructing and enlarging the factories was required by firms in order to transit the product item. The main focus of this article lies in the analysis of financing the capital for restructuring by the firms concerned.<BR><I>Nihonnainenki</I> established in 1932, was the 3<SUP>rd</SUP> manufacture of small vehicles for civil use. In the initial phase, the management of this firm possessed to the <I>Nihonjidosha</I>. But, in 1936, it was transferred to <I>Terada Zinkichi</I> who was the top management of <I>Terada Zaibatsu</I>. Because he was the active manager for the military production, <I>Nihonnainenki</I> rapidly enlarged the production capacity. Since 1938, on which wartime economy began, up until 1942, production focused to small vehicle for military use. However, since 1943, it shifted to airplane parts under the financial support by the <I>Nihon Kogyo Ginko</I> (Industrial Bank of Japan).<BR><I>Nihonjidosha</I> established in 1909, was the largest automobile sales firm in the inter-war Japan. It was originated as a division of the <I>Okura Zaibatsu</I>, but <I>Okura</I>'s influence to this firm became weaker and weaker. Initially, <I>Nihonjidosha</I> was reluctant for transiting the business and enlarging the capacity, although automobile sales sector was repressed. However since late 1943, the firm also started to produce tornado parts for navy, under the financial support by the <I>Senji Kinyu Kinko</I> (Wartime Finance Fund).<BR>In conclusion, the transition of Japanese automobile companies during the wartime from civil to military production could be performed only under the financial aegis of the public banking institutions. And, nothing explains better than the firm's managerial strategy that makes a distinction between <I>Nihonnainenki</I> and <I>Nihojidosha</I>.
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