APPENDIX . POINTS TO BE REMARKED IN THE TABLES AND FIGURES

1) Table 1: Annual Transition of the Total Production of Japanese Akoya Pearls

This table is the transition of annual production beyond 1946. The production for 10 years since 1983 had been stable at 18,000 – 19,000 Kan a year. However for the past 5 years, the yearly output sharply decreased due to the exceptionally high morality. Poisonous Formalin and virus were given as reasons, but the effects of a long period of overcrowded oyster beds which caused deterioration of the farming ground may have been a more important reason.

2) Table 2: South Sea Pearls (silver pearls) Imported into Japan from Producing Countries

• Looking at the figures only, the annual import of each year shows about 700 –800 Kan, whereas the actual production according to responsible authorities is said to be about 650–700 Kan. The reason why the import exceeds the total production is because there are dual registrations of returned and carnet goods.

• The ratios of import from respective countries are as follows:
  
  Australia 65%,
  Indonesia 31%

  These two countries dominate with approximately 96%, which is equivalent to their proportion of the total production.

3) Table 3: South Sea Pearls Exported from Japan

Japan imported about 500 Kan (74% of the total production), and 80% (400 Kan) of this has been re-exported from Japan. The total re-export increased to 2 times within these 4 years.

4) Table 5: Black Pearls.Imported into Japan from Producing Countries

• Japan up to this time dominated the majority of pearls exported from producing countries, and the import figures fluctuated according to the increase or decrease of the total production (refer to Table 6: 1990–1997 Tahiti Black Pearls Export)

• Tahiti dominates with more than 97% of the total production.

5) Table 6: Exports of Black Pearls from Tahiti

Japan is still a distant leader as a buyer but the proportion has decreased these recent years. The proportion of exports to U.S.A. and Hong Kong has rapidly increased; the demand in the USA. is especially outstanding. The demand for gray pearls would increase in USA if promoted properly.

6) Table 7: Black Pearls Exported from Japan

• Though the total production had increased continuously every year, the re-export from Japan had decreased. In 1997, Japan has continued to be the major buying country by importing 2/3 (1,000 Kan) of the total production.

• Out of the 1,000 Kan, about 320 Kan had been exported. This was about 6 times the amount of 4 years ago.

• This indicates that the black-pearl market had become internationally diversified.

7) Table 9: The comparison of Tahiti's export and Japanese import

This is a combined statistic of exports reported by Tahiti and imports by Japan In the past, the figures did not match, but recently accuracy has improved.

8) Tables 10 & 11 and Figure 2: Results of the black pearl auction of the last 8 years in Tahiti

• Notice that the unit price lowered in proportion to the increase of production. Almost the same amounts were produced in 1995 and 1996, so the price fluctuated very little according to the difference of quality.

• The transaction amount of the auction is comparatively small, but the auction itself is an important occasion for buyers to confirm the market price and exchange opinions and information with fellow buyers.

9) Figure 1: Map of the cast Tahitian black pearl farms covers the area of European countries

• This shows how the Tahitian farms are spread out in this vast area

• Names of islands indicate where the pearl farms are located. Numbers in the parentheses indicate the number of farms on the islands

List of Project Field Documents

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** Under preparation