International Trade of Secondhand Goods

Flow of Secondhand Goods, Actors and Environmental Impact

herausgegeben von: Dr. Michikazu Kojima, Shozo Sakata

Verlag: Springer International Publishing

Buchreihe : IDE-JETRO Series

Enthalten in: Springer Professional "Wirtschaft+Technik" , Springer Professional "Technik" , Springer Professional "Wirtschaft"

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Über dieses Buch

This book demonstrates the flow of the international trade of secondhand goods and examines the socio-economic background and mechanisms of the trade. It highlights the actors involved in the trade of secondhand goods and how traditionally secondhand good have largely been traded through social or ethnic networks in order to effectively transfer quality and market information. The development of information technology and emergence of new information platforms have changed these business models. The policies and regulations relating to the trade of secondhand goods are explored, alongside the negative impact of these trades, and the growing awareness of the circular economy. This book illustrates how importing countries as well as international institutions have developed regulations in order to balance these two issues. It will relevant to students and economists interested in development economics and economics geography.

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Frontmatter

Chapter 1. Issues and New Business Trends in the International Trade of Secondhand Goods

Abstract

International reuse is a part of the so-called circular economy and has the potential to conserve natural resources and reduce the burden on the global environment. International reuse may also contribute to the economies and well-being of developing countries. However, there is a possibility that the import of secondhand goods might affect industrial development and increase the burden on health and the environment in these countries. This chapter reviews a number of issues related to the international trade of secondhand goods, including (1) factors that affect the international trade of secondhand goods and their socio-economic impacts, (2) institutional settings and business trends such as the application of improved information and communications technologies, and (3) the importance of international reuse in the circular economy. This chapter also outlines the structure of this book, taking into consideration the three abovementioned issues.

Michikazu Kojima, Shozo Sakata

Chapter 2. Economic Impact of Imported Secondhand Agricultural Machinery in Rural Vietnam

Abstract

This chapter explores how secondhand agricultural machines have been imported and used in rural Vietnam. Vietnam has imported quite a large number of secondhand agricultural machines, such as tractors and combine harvesters, mainly from Japan. The diffusion of imported secondhand agricultural machines has changed the mode of agricultural production and the distribution of labor, which in turn has contributed to country’s industrialization. The inflow of imported agricultural equipment has also contributed to the development of the rural economy because the “eco-system” for agricultural mechanization, which consists of small businesses such as machine dealers, repairers, and parts providers, has been developed at the local level. However, the import of secondhand agricultural machinery raises some concern over environmental pollution as the continuous reuse of secondhand machines inevitably generates residual waste.

Shozo Sakata

Chapter 3. International Trade of Used Trains: The Case of Japanese Used Rolling Stock in Indonesia

Abstract

This chapter analyzes exports of used Japanese railroad rolling stock from the perspective of the international trade of used goods. Through a case study of Indonesia, where a large number of Japanese used rolling stock vehicles have been transferred since the 2000s, this chapter clarifies how and why such a large number have been transferred, what problems have arisen during the reuse of the equipment, and how the Indonesian railway service has tackled these issues. This chapter concludes by pointing out that although the transfer of Japanese used rolling stock to Indonesia is a success story, international reuse of rolling stock can be characterized by such issues as lack of openness, continuity, and environmental considerations.

Koichi Kawamura

Chapter 4. The Location Problem of International Trade in Used Auto Parts

Abstract

Trade in secondhand goods between countries is embedded in the global circular economy. The regional agglomeration of used auto parts dealers plays an important role in this process. Geographical agglomeration is essential for realizing the economic attributes of secondhand goods and the secondhand goods industry, which are characterized by small scale, supply instability, and information asymmetry. This chapter examines the advantages of agglomeration that are observed on the export and import sides. In Japan, used auto parts dealers have tended toward decentralization for many years as a result of the long-running and well-developed network of dismantlers. However, as globalization advances, agglomeration becomes more advantageous, so centralization in specific areas is now observed. On the import side, the cases of the cities of Colombo and Sharjah make it clear that the larger the volume of trade, the more important a centralized sorting function becomes, which is an advantage of agglomeration.

Yutaka Asazuma

Chapter 5. Used Vehicles and Auto Parts Trade in New Zealand and Pacific Island Countries

Abstract

New Zealand and Pacific Island countries are major destinations for used automobiles from Japan. These countries have the same left-hand traffic and right-hand-drive vehicles as Japan. Other factors affect the export of used vehicles and auto parts from Japan to these countries, including trade policies and migrant entrepreneurs engaged in international trade. In addition, the transport of scrapped cars and scrap iron from Pacific Island countries to New Zealand and Asian countries for processing is also discussed.

Tomoko Fukuda

Chapter 6. An Informal Used-Car Trading System Between Hong Kong and East African Countries Using ICT

Abstract

The informal trade between China and other countries grew rapidly at the beginning of the twenty-first century. Traders and workers who flocked to Hong Kong and China from all over the world, although mainly developing countries, have created their own informal trading system, which stands in conflict with intellectual property rights, commercial laws, and trade agreements. This chapter clarifies the information and communications technology system employed by East African used-car brokers in Hong Kong and discusses the new dynamism in informal used-car trading as well as the logic of a sharing economy in the informal economy. East African brokers in Hong Kong have created a type of collaborative commons (i.e., a sharing economy platform) through which they share information about available products and sales channels with their customers in Africa, collaborating to stabilize their businesses and lives. This platform is based on the balance between the coexistence of individuals who live in uncertain circumstances in Hong Kong and autonomous business success, which differs from other sharing economy platforms that focus on the effective use of unused items or idle spaces and time.

Sayaka Ogawa

Chapter 7. International Trade of Used and Retread Tires

Abstract

Used tires are traded internationally. Some are subject to direct reuse, whereas others become cores for retread tires, which are also traded internationally. Such international trade contributes to improved resource efficiency and reduced transportation costs in the importing countries. However, importing worn-out used tires may pose a safety problem. The international trade of used tires can transfer mosquitos, which are vectors for disease, to other countries, thereby spreading mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue fever. This chapter reviews the trade statistics for used and retread tires since 1990 and identifies factors that affect trade flows. The important factors are income level, trade restriction, car inspection system, and road condition. The impacts of these factors differ according to the type of tire. The effectiveness, justification, and impact of trade restrictions are also discussed. In addition, appropriate trade policies on used and retread tires are discussed from the viewpoints of global resource efficiency and safety.

Michikazu Kojima

Chapter 8. Controlling an Invisible Flow of Product Reuse: The Current State of International Reuse of Used Household Appliances in Thailand and Japan

Abstract

Focusing on the boundary between products that should be reused and those that should be recycled, this chapter clarifies the current state of cross-border movement of used products and presents case studies involving Thailand and Japan. Thailand is dealing with issues such as the improper processing of e-waste and is considering a complete ban on the importation of recyclable resources. However, such a ban would deprive companies that obtain used items and properly process imported e-waste of their business opportunities. The Japanese Reuse/Recycle Sorting Guidelines, which were introduced as a measure for controlling domestic product reuse, have been somewhat effective, but the implementation of “Exporting Criteria for UEEE” has decreased the number of used household appliances that are exported. Despite controlling international product reuse, both Thailand and Japan have had difficulty enforcing border control measures. Therefore, each country does not, in effect, set its own standards for controlling international product reuse. Therefore, setting international common standards may help to improve the effectiveness of border control measures at customs.

So Sasaki

Backmatter

Titel: International Trade of Secondhand Goods
herausgegeben von: Dr. Michikazu Kojima
Shozo Sakata
Verlag: Springer International Publishing
Electronic ISBN: 978-3-030-55579-5
Print ISBN: 978-3-030-55578-8
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-55579-5