Oelidlum . Various species of Gelidium, 
found along the entire Japanese coast, were used in the manufacture of 
agar-agar (see page 145). The largest quantities are produced in the 
shallow waters of the east coast of the warm current region (Nagano, 
Osaka, Byogo, Kyoto, Gifu, Yamanshi, Shizuoka, Wakagsuna and Tokyo 
prefectures), but agar-agar was also made in Karafuto from a different 
raw material. 
_0 there . Of the numerous other seaweeds 
produced in lesser quantities than the three described above, one was 
perhaps more important funori (Gloiopeltis species) which waB used 
as sizing for textiles. The plant grows naturally along much of the 
Japanese coast, but was also cultivated in some localities by placing 
rocks in the sea to which the algae attached itself. The Matsuurbi 
district of Nagasaki Prefecture and Aomori, Ibarakl and Wakayama pre¬ 
fectures are reported to have produced considerable quantities. 
Whaling . Whales were of importance to Japan 
chiefly in providing oil (for domestic consumption and export), but 
also furnished bone-meal fertilizer and human food. In 1939 the value 
of Japanese whaling was ¥ 26,777,000 (Table 32), a sizeable item in 
the marine products industry. 
In the years preceding the war Japan*s whaling activities in¬ 
creased greatly; in 1930-31 Japan cau^it 2.7 percent of the whales 
taken in the world* s commercial whaling operations and produced 
- 107 - 
16-031 P132 bu 
