The mutual loan association, the financial means for many ordinary people, was thought to have perished due to the development of the modern financial industry. In some regions, however, it still actually exists. In Imabari city in Ehime prefecture, mutual loan associations are still active and this has been confirmed by a survey. This was the first research-based survey of mutual loan associations to be carried out. Further, though many believe it is an inefficient financial means when compared to the modern financial system, from an analysis of the survey results reasons for these mutual loan associations’ continuance are outlined.学術論
