Debates over Fishery Regulation in the Priamur Governor-Generalship, 1884-1904 Cover Image

サハリン島水産業(1884-1904)をめぐる紛争
Debates over Fishery Regulation in the Priamur Governor-Generalship, 1884-1904

Author(s): Eisuke Kaminaga
Subject(s): History
Published by: Slavic Research Center

Summary/Abstract: From the late 19th century to the outbreak of the Russo-Japanese War, Japanese fishery in the Russian Far East waters had shown stable growth. At the same time, the Priamur Governor-Generalship had gradually imposed strict restrictions on these Japanese fisheries with an aim to fostering of the domestic fishery, that is, nationalization of regional fishery. This situation perhaps has the appearance of paradoxical process. Seemingly, the more the Russian authorities had tightened their control, the more the Japanese fishery had developed. According to several existing historical studies in Japan, this situation has been accounted for primarily by the Japanese fisherpersons' great ability and bravery. These studies have also regarded the Russian strict control over Japanese fisherpersons as an ungenerous anti-Japanese sentiment. We disagree with these views for several reasons. For instance, the Russian authorities had enforced these fishery regulations in a limited way. In consequence, the restrictions also had only a limited effect on the Japanese fishery and occasionally had brought about a negative effect for the Russians. This situation lacks the preconditions for a paradox. We require ample studies of the situation in order to conduct a proper evaluation of these regulations. The present research will offer a clarifying explanation for this complicated situation. For such occasions we will pay attention to the debates over fishery regulations in the Priamur Governor-Generalship. Based on some reports by the Governor-Generals, we will try to give a persuasive account of the situation. It serves for a deeper understanding of the Russo-Japanese historical relations.

  • Issue Year: 2003
  • Issue No: 50
  • Page Range: 285-299
  • Page Count: 15
  • Language: Japanese