 | 
In 1928, pearl cultivation patent is liberalized.
There was increase in pearl farm growth but
for the common citizen they could not afford
the jewel. Because o this reason, the pearls
were exported to Europe, the U.S. and through
out the world from Kobe.
Due to the appearance of these new cultured
pearls, the European and the U.S. natural
pearl market was shaken. Yet by World WarⅠand
World WarⅡ，the demand for the cultured
pearls increased.
Pearl farms were developed in Mie Prefecture,
Shikoku and Kyushu(near vicinities of Kobe)
and was gathered and exported from the international
port of Kobe.
Pearl processing was developed around
Kitano-cho district because of the northern
stable light conditions available in the
area. During World WarⅡ, the pearl industry
went through down turns , and was forgotten
by the world but yet for medicinal reasons
exports were permitted to China. Because
of this, the industry was able to survive.
After World WarⅡ, export resumed under
the auspices of the Japanese government control,
and the pearls played an important role in
attaining foreign currency for the country.
After 1949 normal trade resumed and the pearls
were bought by American soldiers returning
to their country. This played a major role
in promoting the product in the U.S. in (turn)
increase the exportation of cultured pearls
from Kobe.
Kobe became the center of all pearls,
processing and export since she controlled
approximately 80% of all pearls in Japan.
Situation of exported pearls, within the
Kobe city
Plant
Numbers |
Export weight(kg)
/country-wide share(%) |
Export amount of money(1million Yen)
/country-wide share(%) |
| 101 |
18,118/77.8 |
26,476/70.5 |
source:Japan Pearl Exporter's association
1995 |
