Vol. 37, No. 1, Spring /Summer 1999 - "The Pacific Rim"
RESTRUCTURING OF THE ELECTRICAL MACHINERY INDUSTRY IN NORTHERN JAPAN, 1980 – 1995
(pp. 2 - 16)
Shawn Banasick
Department of Geography and Geology
West Virginia University
Morgantown, West Virginia
Abstract
This paper examines the changing spatial pattern of electrical machinery industry employment in northern Japan. Japanese manufacturing in the early postwar period was spatially concentrated in the Tokaido Belt located along Japan's Pacific coastline. In the early 1970s, manufacturing employment began to decentralize to peripheral areas of Japan. Tohoku, a peripheral region in northern Japan, experienced dramatic employment growth in the electrical machinery industry. Industrial district level manufacturing data was used to examine local changes in electrical machinery industry employment. The results reveal that the strengthening of the Japanese yen in the late 1980s, and the economic downturn of the early 1990s, led to a substantial transformation of the spatial pattern of employment in the electrical machinery industry in Tohoku.
DISTRIBUTION OF CHRISTIANITY IN JAPAN
(pp. 17 - 32)
Masayasu Oda
Department of Geography
Konzazawa University
Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan
Abstract
The distribution of religions in Japan has not attracted much attention from geographers. This paper addresses the distribution of Christians in Japan. Christians number perhaps 1.2 million people, or about 1.0% of the total population. Of these, Catholics account for nearly half, and most of the others belong to various Protestant denominations. Catholic adherents are concentrated in the western Kyushu region, particularly in Nagasaki, and in Tokyo and Osaka. Members of the United Church of Christ in Japan, the largest Protestant denomination, are located mainly in Tokyo, and secondarily in the northern Kinki region. The dense concentration of both Catholics and Protestants in Tokyo exemplifies the peculiarity of Christianity as a religion of the city in Japan. However, the Catholic concentration in areas such as Nagasaki prefecture shows the possibility of Christianity establishing a foothold in rural Japan as well.
TOKYO: AN EXAMPLE OF THE WORLD CITY PARADIGM
(pp. 33 - 48)
Dennis Tobin
Department of Geography
Kent State University
Kent, Ohio
Abstract
The geographic forces of globalization and urbanization are rapidly changing the classification of international cities. An increasing number of cities are being considered for world city classification. Simultaneously, urban geographers continually update the definition of a world city. Fortunately, a comprehensive study of Tokyo, Japan provides both information about a major world city and clarification to the world city paradigm. Tokyo's historical urbanism and contemporary development have enabled it to become a model for the globalization of cities. An historical and contemporary analysis of Tokyo is a valuable research tool for understanding the world city paradigm.
CHINA'S POTENTIAL FOR INTERNATIONAL INDUSTRIAL ECONOMIC GROWTH
(pp. 49 - 75)
Jeffrey P. Richetto
James A. Madam
Department of Geography
University of Alabama
Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Abstract
1978 signaled a dramatic shift in the People's Republic of China's economic ideology and attitude toward foreign nations. China announced that it wished to reorient its closed, relatively self-sufficient economy to an 'open door' policy seeking to potentially integrate itself into the global economy. This profound shift in ideology ushered in significant political and economic opportunities affecting not only East Asia but all of the developed world. In an effort to understand China's potential for entering the global economy there exists at least two processes critical for evaluation; first, an examination of the historical events and policies that molded China's path to economic development and second, an impact analysis of the New Reforms. While several economic, political, and technological factors are important to consider, this paper emphasizes developments in infrastructure investment, industrial restructuring, and technical updating; particularly noting their geographic pattern. While China's post-Mao economy has made quantum improvements—to the extent that foreign trade and foreign investment will form the bases for China's entrance and participation in the global economy not only must the east coast SEZs more fully develop an integrated system of vertical linkages but also the populations of the interior and far western provinces need to be more fully integrated into a national market as producers and consumers.
APPLYING GIS TO HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHICAL ANALYSIS: RECONSTRUCTING AN URBAN PLACE FROM THE PAST
(pp. 76 - 99)
John Benhart, Jr.
Department of Geography & Regional Planning
Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Indiana, Pennsylvania
Abstract
This paper addresses the application of geographic information systems (GIS) to historical geographical analysis. GIS has rarely been applied to historical geographical study, mainly because of real and perceived difficulties in dealing with historical data and a lack of technical knowledge to operationalize system implementation. This is a missed opportunity, as GIS provides the unique ability to effectively handle spatial and attribute data. The example study discussed in this paper illustrates how historical data from different sources was incorporated into a GIS designed for historical geographical analysis, and how logistical issues were addressed. Among the conclusions of the paper are the necessity of strong background in the topical literature (an informed researcher) and knowledge of GIS/cartographic principles for successful GIS implementation, and that in many instances GIS can prove to be a useful tool for historical geographical analysis.
THE B&O RAILROAD AND C&O CANAL'S "RACE UP THE POTOMAC RIVER"
(pp. 100 - 117)
William Kosola
Paul Marr
Department of Geography and Earth Science
Shippensburg University
Shippensburg, Pennsylvania
Abstract
As far back as 1772 the importance of the Potomac River to regional and national development was recognized. Connecting the Ohio and Potomac River systems was viewed as a necessary step in the continued growth and prosperity of the fledgling cities of Baltimore, Maryland and Washington, DC. The simultaneous construction of the Baltimore and Ohio (B &O) Railroad and the Chesapeake and Ohio (C&O) Canal in the early 1800s up the Potomac River led to direct competition between two very different forms of transportation. The story of the competition between the canal and railroad in capturing the flow of commodities along this early frontier penetration line sheds light on a pivotal period in transportation development.
(pp. 118 - 138)
William D. Walters, Jr.
Department of Geography/Geology
Illinois State University
Normal, Illinios
Abstract
While Emma Willard was not the first American woman to publish geographies, she was the best known woman educator in the early Republic and her geographies achieved considerable commercial success. However, their publication is clouded in controversy. Emma's husband, John, left a death bed declaration accusing Connecticut publisher Samuel Goodrich of pirating Mrs. Willard's "system of geography," and her co-author, William Channing Woodbridge has been accused or taking royalties from geography texts that were in fact written by Emma. An examination of surviving letters and contracts suggests that the situation was considerably more complex. Willard and Woodbridge had entered into a decision to pool profits from a series of geography texts. In addition to moving toward a resolution of the piracy issue, the documents letters and contracts sized valuable light on the life and working relationships of Emma Willard, a woman who should be much better known to American geographic educators.