Cooperative work system in Hateruma Island: New evidence from a recent field survey
2005
Miyanishi, I.(Tokyo Univ. (Japan))
In the past, daily lives and production were supported by a cooperative work system with labor exchange in rural areas. This cooperative work system is called "Yuimaru" in Okinawa regions. During the high economic growth after the Second World War, such labor exchange customs had mostly disappeared. However, Yuimaru for harvesting sugarcane survived in Hateruma Island, Okinawa. It can be hypothesized that Yuimaru in Hateruma Island maintains its role as cooperative work system in sugarcane production, adapting its functions to social and economic change. The purpose of this paper is to examine the present state of the cooperative work system in Hateruma Island, with special emphasis put on newly emerging functions of Yuimaru. Following are findings derived from the analysis of the field survey. First, the norm of mutual help is still valid in modern Yuimaru. Second, maintaining a production scale that enables the efficient operation of a sugar factory and securing enough labor force for farmers are two major economic motives of cooperative work. Third, there are new functions of Yuimaru, such as: l)sustaining the sugarcane production scale of elderly farmers and part-time farmers, 2)labor insurance for members, and 3)efficient acceptance of outside workers. Yuimaru acts as the foundation of agricultural activities in Hateruma Island. This is a case where the cooperative labor exchange system supports the agriculture-based local economy.
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