In 1904 (Meiji era 37)
The Ikemae Fishery Association was formed with the aim of acquiring exclusive fishing rights. This organisation was the precursor of the Ikema Fishery Cooperative. In August of Meiji era 42 the Cooperative became a Corporate Association.
In 1909 (Meiji era 42)
August the Cooperative became a Corporate Association.
In 1910 (November of Meiji era 43)
Oki Akira established the Ikemae Fishery Cooperative Association. In September of that year the Association had been granted the exclusive fishing rights to the Yae tidal waters that they had sought. A bonito fishery production association was also formed. At that time there were five bonito boats on Ikema Island and the bonito fishing industry was rapidly growing. The industry was showing great promise, as improved technology became available to the fishermen, and from this time bonito fishing began in earnest.
In 1911 (Meiji era 44)
Ikema’s fishing fleet became motorised resulting in improved efficiency. Previously the fleet had consisted of traditional two masted Japanese boats.
In 1915 (Taisho era 04)
The fishing fleet now had six motorised fishing boats, each with its own bonito flakes production facility. A bonito flakes production unit on shore had also been established with its own Union. The catch and the revenue from fishing was increasing year by year. The Association had truly entered the “golden age of bonito on Ikema Island”. As the catch increased so the need for female workers to shave the bonito to create a smooth surface grew. Women began to arrive from other villages to work, and the wages they received for this part-time work was a valuable addition to the income of families. This influx of new labour was promoted in a planned way. For example around 1908 female workers came to Ikema Island from Ehime Prefecture in Shikoku, bringing with them their own management. One after another women arrived to work on Ikema Island. At first there were four of them, one of whom was a teacher. As the industry developed the skills of these female workers were to make a significant contribution to the achievements of the bonito fishing industry.At this time also an enthronement ceremony for Emperor Taisho was held on Ikema Island, and a lantern procession took place.
In 1915 (Taisho era 04)
At this time 2% of catch sales was levied from members in order to fund the expenses of the Ikemae Fishery Cooperative Association.
In 1918 (Taisho era 07)
With the end of World War 1 came an economic boom that positively impacted the bonito industry on Ikema Island. Another golden era had arrived.
In 1919 (Taisho era 08)
a cholera epidemic broke out on Miyako Island. Ikema Island cut off all movement between other islands. The Fishery Association had watchmen positioned day and night around the perimeter of the Island. Fishing boats were sent out to buy food and other necessities from Naha on Okinawa Main Island. The situation lasted for about a year during which time not a single case of cholera was recorded on Ikema Island.
In 1921 (Taisho era 10)
The Ikemae Fishery Cooperative Association and Youth Venue was inaugurated. Prior to this General Meetings had been held in schools.
In 1923 (Taisho era 12)
A commemorative ceremony was held for the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Ikemae Fishery Cooperative.
In 1924 (Taisho era 13)
A sprinkler was installed on a bonito fishing boat on Ikema Island.
In 1929 (Showa era 04)
Seven young people departed from Miyako Island in June to engage in bonito fishing in Borneo. Fishermen emigrating continued after this and became quite a common occurrence.
In 1930 (Showa era 05)
The large tuna longline fishing vehicle “Takamaru” was built. The economic boom that followed the end of World War 1 had gradually declined, and the effects of this were felt in the fishing industry. The price and production of bonito flakes fell. At this time (between 1929 and 1930) Unions that had been organised for bonito workers were dissolved and merged into one. 1930 was also the year in which exclusive fishing rights to the Yae tidal sea were re-negotiated. It was 20 years since they were first granted and rights were once again authorised. Meanwhile voyages to the South seas were increasing rapidly (peaking around 1935).
In 1930 (Showa era 05)
Voyages to the South seas were increasing rapidly (peaking around 1935).
In 1930 (Showa era 05)
Also the year in which exclusive fishing rights to the Yae tidal sea were re-negotiated. It was 20 years since they were first granted and rights were once again authorised.
In 1932 (Showa era 07)
One fishing boat in Ikema Island was lost due to a heavy storm coming from the direction of Taiwan. More than 20 fishermen died.
In 1933 (Showa era 08)
The Fishery Association’s rules were changed to enable it to conduct business in addition to its traditional role of investing in the industry.
In 1934 (Showa era 09)
A three year project to re-develop Ikema Port began. The crews of vessels damaged by annual storms and unable to put to sea were available to do the work of building a new docking facility. The new facility minimized the damage to docked vessels during storms.
In 1935 (Showa era 10)
a dispute over fishing rights arose with the village of Sarahama on Irabu Island where fishermen who had previously lived on Ikema Island now lived.
In 1936 (Showa era 11)
the Association voted to change the name of the organisation to “Guaranteed Responsibility Ikemae Fishery Cooperative”. By this time the number of fishing vessels working as a coordinated fleet was 11.
In 1937 (Showa era 12)
A ship named the” Zuiko Maru” that had been built with the support of the Okinawan Prefectural Government set off southwards, the aim being to encourage fishing in those southern seas. This was a successful initiative and ships increasingly followed this lead and voyaged to the South.
In 1937 (Showa era 12)
The incident in China which was the prelude to the Sino-Japanese war occurred at this time, and as the ensuing war effort intensified there were fuel shortages. This meant that fishing could not run smoothly.
In 1937 (Showa era 12)
A small ice machine was built in Hirara with assistance from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry on mainland Japan, and a water supply facility and catch distribution centre were also constructed.
In 1941 (Showa era 16)
On 8th December Japan declared war on the Allied Forces. Japan was swept away by the tide of war. One after another Association members answered the call to arms.
In 1942 (Showa era 17)
The Ikemae Fishery Association became the Ikema Fishery Association
In 1944 (Showa era 19)
Evacuation of citizens to Taiwan began from Ikema Island. Out of concern for the evacuees food was delivered by fishing boat to Taiwan. Also at this time six bonito fishing boats formed a convoy and sailed to North Borneo to transport oil.
In 1944 (Showa era 19)
Also at this time six bonito fishing boats formed a convoy and sailed to North Borneo to transport oil.
In 1945 (Showa era 20)
Evacuation of citizens of Ikema Island to various locations in Taiwan continued. Also at this time the “Ikema Maru” sailed back and forth between Ikema island and Yonaguni Island to procure food.
In 1948 (Showa era 23)
the Ikemae Fisheries Group was reorganised.
In 1950 (Showa era 25)
The “Omoto Maru” was lost at sea in Typhoon Ency, but in the same storm the entire crew of the “Zuiko Maru” was rescued. The regular ferry boat “Ikema Maru” made an emergency dock on Kawatori beach and so escaped the disaster.
In 1951 (Showa era 26)
Ryukyu Cooperative Law was introduced by decree of the U.S. Civil Government, and the “Ikema Fishery Cooperative” was approved and established within the new legal framework.
In 1957 (Showa era 32)
The regular ferry boat “Ikema Maru” was newly built and put into service.
In 1958 (Showa era 33)
The owners of individual bonito boats came together under the umbrella of the Union to work jointly and complete the Ikema Communal Factory.
In 1959 (Showa era 34)
The number of Union members was 479, making it one of the most significant Unions in all Okinawa Prefecture. In September of the same year the Miyakojima Typhoon (Typhoon Sara) damaged all boats of a small size, and had the effect of slowing down the economy.
In 1959 (Showa era 34)
In September of the same year the Miyakojima Typhoon (Typhoon Sara) damaged all boats of a small size, and had the effect of slowing down the economy.
In 1959 (Showa era 34)
New coral fishing ground was discovered off Miyakojima, near Takarayama Sone.
In 1960 (Showa era 35)
There was a coral boom and bonito boats were converted into sango boats.
In 1961 (Showa era 36)
Ikema Fishing Port was designated as a Class 1 Fishing Port along with Sarahama Fishing Port and Hisamatsu Fishing Port.
In 1961 (Showa era 36)
At this time the “Ikema Maru” was making one round trip a day between Hirara and Ikema Island, initiated by the Ikema Fishery Cooperative.
In 1962 (Showa era 37)
Mr Susumu Iranami of the “Yoshishin Maru” started to use live bait in conjunction with the commonly used bag nets.
In 1964 (Showa era 39)
Ikema Fishing Port was approved as a port of refuge in stormy weather, open to all international shipping.
In 1967 (Showa era 42)
The regular ferry boat “Ikema Maru” was newly built again and out into service.
In 1967 (Showa era 42)
In this year also the bonito fishing boat “Yuzan Maru” (registered with the Ikema Fisheries Cooperative Association) rescued a third-year Junior High School student form Ishigaki Island who was on a bonito fishing trip.
In 1970 (Showa era 45)
The second southern base fishing operation began. Three bonito fishing boats departed for the Palau Islands and Papua new Guinea.
In 1974 (Showa era 49)
700 people in the Southern fishing fleet departed for the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea.
In 1975 (Showa era 50)
The Ikemajima Fisheries Cooperative’s shared use facility was completed and a celebration was held. In that year 43 bonito fishing boats departed for the South Pacific.
In 1978 (Showa era 53)
While the bonito industry based in the South reached its productivity peak, bonito fishing on Ikema Island was in decline.
In 1980 (Showa era 55)
The Ikema Island to Hirama ferry “Nakato” was put into service.
In 1981 (Showa era 56)
The “Nakato” was renamed “Ikema Maru”.
In 1981 (Showa era 56)
Also that year for the first time in nearly 6 years two new bonito fishing vessels were launched, the “Hoku Maru” and the “Hozan Maru”.
In 1983 (Showa era 58)
Ikema Fishing Port was opened and a celebration was held. It took 10 years to build (from 1972 (Showa era 47) to 1981 (Showa era 56)) at a total construction cost of 1.89 billion Yen.
In 1984 (Showa era 59)
Ikema Island Fisherfolk Centre was inaugurated.
In 1986 (Showa era 61)
Ikema Fishing Port’s second breakwater lighthouse was illuminated for the first time.
In 1986 (Showa era 61)
Also in that year the Ikema Island Remote Island Promotion Centre was inaugurated.
In 1992 (Heisei era 04)
Ikema bridge opened (total project cost 9.9 billion Yen)
In 1995 (Heisei era 07)
Students of Ikema Junior High School learned about the bonito industry. The boys experienced fishing for bonito, and the girls experienced shaving bonito flakes.
In 1997 (Heisei era 09)
The first “Bonito Appreciation Festival” was held.
In 2005 (Heisei era 17)
The Ikema Fishery Cooperative Women’s Department’s “Mother’s Market” sold sea and land food for the first time. The market was well received.
In 2006 (Heisei era 18)
The bonito fishery and bonito flakes production industry which had supported Ikema Island for so long closed completely.
