A historical analysis of the launching process of the Iran-Japan petrochemical project

DOI Web Site 14 References

Bibliographic Information

Other Title
  • イラン・ジャパン石油化学プロジェクト誕生過程の史的分析
  • イラン ジャパン セキユ カガク プロジェクト タンジョウ カテイ ノ シテキ ブンセキ

Search this article

Abstract

This paper aims at clarifying the launching process of the Iran-Japan petrochemical project (IJPC). The IJPC is well-known in Japan for its tragic and unfortunate destiny ending with the collapse of the whole project mainly due to adverse external occurrences. In this sense the IJPC is often regarded as the biggest and the worst failure case in which Japanese companies were involved. Therefore, all of the Japanese companies concerned have not disclosed any archival documents at all. To cope with this fatal defect for historical research the author applied an oral history approach along with a search for the existing documents such as the secondary literature and articles on the IJPC. Through the oral history approach the author tried to find facts which otherwise had not been disclosed and to analyze the IJPC from a novel perspective based on these new facts. In this paper the author draws attention to three important fact findings which seemed to influence the subsequent development of the IJPC. First, there was the distinct negotiation skill on the Iranian side, which resulted in the gradual receding position on the Japanese side from the beginning of the project. Iran almost always took the initiative in the negotiation and kept the Japanese side at bay. Second, there was a complicated conflict of interests not only between Iran and Japan but also among the Japanese companies themselves. They couldn't manage the conflict of interests and this brought about the delay of the project even at an early stage. As a result, the IJPC was trapped with organizational problems. Finally, the project moved forward despite its uncertain feasibility because the project was brought about by the top management of Mitsui & Co., the leader of the Japanese side, and the company expected some compromises from Iran in the subsequent negotiation. In addition, the project was coupled with the oil interest which was vital to Japan. The other Japanese partners followed Mitsui considering their own business interests and existing trading relationship with Mitsui.

Journal

References(14)*help

See more

Details 詳細情報について

Report a problem

Back to top