Business and Investment Environment in Kyushu- Main Industries 、Economy・Trade Data -Kyushu Bureau of Economy,
Trade and Industry

2021.3

Business and Investment Environment - Main Industries 、Economy・Trade Data contents
０１ Basic Data on Kyushu

０７ Examples of business start-up by foreigners in Kyushu

Kyushu - Gateway to Asia----------

1

Scale of economy equivalent to that of a country----------

2

Trade Trends by Product Category----------

3

Main Trade Partners----------

4

Advanced traffic infrastructure----------

5

Characteristic Industries in Kyushu----------

6

Rich Cuisine and Local Foods----------

7

０２ Main Industries

０３ Research Institutions
The World’s Most Advanced University Research
Facilities
The World’s Most Advanced Research Institutions

Examples of business start-up by foreigners in Kyushu➀ ----------

20

Examples of business start-up by foreigners in Kyushu② ----------

21

０８ Government and Aid Organization Initiatives
Strategy for Growth Industries in Kyushu and Okinawa:---------Kyushu-Okinawa Earth Strategy II
Economic Exchange Based on MOUs Concluded---------with Asian Countries
Promoting Export of Honkaku Shochu from Kyushu

2223----------

24

０９ Aid for Investment in Japan----------

8

Japan Innovation Bridge (J-Bridge)----------

25----------

9

Fukuoka Prefectural Aid for Investment in Japan----------

26

Low Business Costs and Abundant Human Resources ----------

10

Saga Prefectural Aid for Investment in Japan----------

27

Education and Healthcare Environment----------

11

Nagasaki Prefectural Aid for Investment in Japan----------

28

International Standard Educational Institution----------

12

Kumamoto Prefectural Aid for Investment in Japan----------

29

World Heritage Site in Kyushu①----------

13

Oita Prefectural Aid for Investment in Japan----------

30

World Heritage Site in Kyushu②----------

14

Miyazaki Prefectural Aid for Investment in Japan----------

31

World Heritage Site in Kyushu③----------

15

Kagoshima Prefectural Aid for Investment in Japan----------

32

World Leading Global Niche Top Company①----------

16

Kitakyushu City Aid for Investment in Japan----------

33

World Leading Global Niche Top Company②----------

17

Fukuoka City Aid for Investment in Japan----------

34

World Leading Global Niche Top Company③----------

18

Kumamoto City Aid for Investment in Japan----------

35

World Leading Global Niche Top Company④----------

19

０４ Business Costs and Living Environment

０５ Attractive Nature and Culture

０６ Global Companies

Photo credit: Toyota Motor Corporation、Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University、YASKAWA Electric Corporation

01 | Basic Data on Kyushu

Kyushu - Gateway to Asia
 Located almost equidistant from Seoul, Shanghai, andTokyo, Kyushu is, geographically, Japan’s gateway toAsia. Since ancient times, the region has served as a
hub for international exchange, especially in Hirado andDejima located in Nagasaki.
 The number of incoming and outgoing passengers(domestic and international routes) at Fukuoka Airport is
24.68 million*, which is ranked fourth among all airports
in Japan. From Fukuoka Airport, it takes only 10
minutes to access the center of Fukuoka City, offering
world-class transportation convenience.

Distances between Fukuoka and other major cities in Japan and Asia

* Source: Airport Rankings 2019, Ministry ofLand, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism

Convenience of Access to Asian Countries
Tokyo (Narita)

Fukuoka
Airport to city center

10 minutes

50 minutes

Busan (Korea)

50 minutes

2 hours 25 minutes

Seoul (Korea)

1 hour 20 minutes

2 hours 35 minutes

Shanghai (China)

1 hour 45 minutes

3 hours 10 minutes

Taipei (Taiwan)

2 hours 30 minutes

3 hours 40 minutes

4 hours

5 hours 15 minutes

Ho Chi Minh (Viet Nam)

5 hours 20 minutes

6 hours

Bangkok (Thailand)

5 hours 45 minutes

6 hours 40 minutes

Singapore

5 hours 50 minutes

7 hours 35 minutes

Hong Kong

Source: JTB Publishing’s JTB Timetable (December 2020)1

01 | Basic Data on Kyushu

Scale of economy equivalent to that of a country
 Kyushu, a southwestern island of the Japanese archipelago, is composed of seven prefectures: Fukuoka, Saga,
Nagasaki, Kumamoto, Oita, Miyazaki, and Kagoshima.
 Kyushu has a population of 13.01 million (10.2% of Japan). Its various economic indexes including land area and
GDP account for approximately 10% of the entire country so that the region is called the “10% economy.” Kyushu’s scale of economy is equivalent to that of Thailand or Austria. With a large geographical area, rich water
resources, and an excellent workforce, semiconductor industry, automobile industry, and agriculture, forestry andfisheries are the primary industries of Kyushu.
International comparison of regional GDP

Kyushu’s share of land area, population, and GDP in Japan(Unit: USD 1 billion)

575

TaiwanLand area

11.2%

Source:Area -

Population

10.2%

GDP

8.4%

Sweden536

Poland526

Belgium

495

Iran

461

Thailand455

Kyushu419

Austria

417

Norway399

United Arab Emirates

383

Survey of Area by Municipality for all Prefectures,
Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism 2020
Population - Population, Demographics, and Number of Households Basedon Basic Resident Register, Ministry of Internal Affairs andCommunications
Current as of January 1, 2020
GDP Compiled by the Kyushu Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry
from the Cabinet Office’s Fiscal 2017 Prefectural Accounts

0

200

400

600

800

Source: World Statistics 2020, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications2

01 | Basic Data on Kyushu

Trade Trends by Product Category
 Major export items, in decreasing order of export value, are motor vehicles, semiconductors and other electronic
components, ships and boats, flat-rolled steel products, rubber tires and tubes, and semiconductor manufacturingmachines. These six items account for about 60% of the total.
 Major import items are, in decreasing order of import value, petroleum and crude oil, coal, nonferrous metallic ore,semiconductors and other electronic components, iron ore, petroleum gas, and automotive parts. Most imports aremineral fuels.
Export items in global trade for Kyushu

Import items in global trade for Kyushu(Unit: 100 million yen, %)Others23,351
34.8%

Administrativeequipment
1,536 Organic
2.3% compounds
2,360
3.5%

Semiconductor
manufacturing machines
2,667
4.0%

(Unit: 100 million yen, %)Petroleum andcrude oil
10,69320.0%

Motorvehicles
16,541
24.6%

Total export
value from
Kyushu to theworld (2019)
Semiconductors
6.7189 trillion yen and other electronic
components
9,273
13.8%
Ships and
boats
4,813
7.2%

Flat-rolled
steel products
3,929
5.8%

Others23,234
43.5%

Total import value
from the world to
Kyushu (2019)
5.3401 trillion yen

Seafood
1,050
2.0%

Organic
Rubber tires
Petroleumcompounds
and tubes
products
1,130
2,720
1,341
2.1%
4.0%
2.5%
Source: Compiled by the Kyushu Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry from the Ministry of Finance’s Trade Statistics

Coal
4,131
7.7%

Petroleum
gas
2,283
4.3%
Automotive
parts
1,523
2.9%

Nonferrous
metallic ore
2,895
5.4%
Semiconductors
and other electronic
components
2,744
5.1%
Iron ore
2,377
4.5%

3

01 | Basic Data on Kyushu

Main Trade Partners
 The largest trade partner for Kyushu is China, accounting for 22.8% of all exports and 18.8% of all imports.
 Next are the US, S. Korea, and Hong Kong for exports and Australia, the US, and the United Arab Emirates forimports. Many mineral fuel-producing countries export their products to Kyushu.

Main countries and regions exporting to Kyushu

Main countries and regions importing from Kyushu(Unit: 100 million yen, %)China
15,34422.8%

Others17,24925.7%

Total export value
from Kyushu to theworld (2019)
6.7189 trillion yen

India
1,323
2.0%

Panama1,508
2.2% Thailand
2,017
3.0%
Singapore
2,073
3.1%

Vietnam
2,343
3.5%(Unit: 100 million yen, %)South Korea
Taiwan7,265
3,409 Hong Kong
10.8%
5,289
5.1%
7.9%

China
10,064
18.8%

Others
16,108
30.2%

USA
9,369
13.9%

Total import value
from the world to
Kyushu (2019)
5.3401 trillion yen
Thailand
1,764
3.3%
Indonesia
1,958
3.7%
Russia2,069
3.9%South Korea
2,636
4.9%

Saudi Arabia
2,701
5.1%

Australia
5,507
10.3%
USA
4,052
7.6%

United ArabEmirates
3,765
Taiwan
7.1%
2,779
5.2%

4

01 | Basic Data on Kyushu

Advanced traffic infrastructure

Kyushu’s Expressway, Shinkansen line, and International Container Route (as of December 2020)
Fukuoka Airport
Hakata Port

South Korea, China, Taiwan,
Hong Kong, Vietnam,
Thailand, Philippines,
Cambodia, Canada, and USA

Seoul, Busan, Daegu, Beijing,
Dalian, Guangzhou, Shanghai,
Qingdao, Shenzhen, Taipei,
Kaohsiung, Hong Kong,
South Korea, China, Taiwan,
Macau, Manila, Bangkok, Kitakyushu Port Hong Kong, Vietnam,
Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, Kuala
Thailand, Philippines,
Lumpur, Singapore, Guam,
Cambodia, and Russia
and Honolulu
Kitakyushu Airport
Seoul and Taipei

Saga Airport
Imari Port

Kitakyushu
AirportSeoul and Taipei
HakataSouth Korea
and China

Fukuoka Airport

Oita Airport
Seoul

Oita Airport

Saga Airport

Nagasaki Airport
Shanghai and Hong Kong
Nagasaki Airport

Oita Port
South Korea,
China, and Taiwan

Kumamoto Airport

Miike Port
South Korea
Nagasaki Port

Hososhima Port

South Korea
Kumamoto Airport

South Korea andChina

Seoul and Hong Kong

Miyazaki Airport

Kumamoto Port
LegendArterial high-standard
highways (in service)
Arterial high-standard
highways(project/plan)
Urban expressways

Seoul and Taipei

South Korea
Yatsushiro Port

Kagoshima
AirportSouth Korea
Satsumasendai Port

Kagoshima
Chuo

South Korea and Taiwan
Shibushi Port

Shinkansen lines
Main airports
Key ports

Miyazaki Airport

Kagoshima Port
TaiwanSources: Kyushu District Transport Bureau, Kyushu Regional Development Bureau,
websites of each port, and JTB Publishing’s JTB Timetable (December 2020)[China in the above figure refers to mainland China for convenience sake.]

South Korea,
China, and Taiwan

 Transportation infrastructure has beendeveloped throughout Kyushu
including expressways, Shinkansen
lines, railways, airports, and ports.
 After the entire route of the Kyushu
Shinkansen opened, it now takes only
about 80 minutes to travel from thenorth (Hakata Station) to the south(Kagoshima-Chuo Station) of Kyushu.
 The opening the entire Higashi
Kyushu Expressway route in April
2015 completed a loop of Kyushu
expressways. This enabled smoothvehicle travel through Kyushu andcreates a transportation network forthe region.
 In addition to domestic travel to cities
like Tokyo and Osaka, Kyushu has
infrastructure for international travelfrom airports and ports to countries
mainly within Asia. Easy access tomajor cities in Asia, in particular, is acharacteristic of Kyushu.

Kagoshima Airport
Shanghai and Hong Kong5

02 | Main Industries

Characteristic Industries in Kyushu
Japan’s leading automobile production base The automobile production capacity in Kyushu exceeds 1.5 million units,
accounting for approximately 15% of the Japan’s production volume. Now(in 2020) over 1,200 auto-related companies can be found all over Kyushu.
(Some of the major companies: Toyota Motor Kyushu Inc., Nissan Motor Kyushu
Co., Ltd., and Daihatsu Motor Kyushu Co., Ltd.)Cluster of environmental recycling- and renewable energy-relatedcompanies

Photo credit: Toyota Motor Corporation

 In Kyushu, through the experience of having overcome pollution, environmental
recycling technologies, such as recycling and purification of soil and water,
have been concentrated. Kyushu is also rich in renewable energy resources
including solar power and geothermal power, which makes the region a leading
area in the energy field. Furthermore, in recent years, more environmental
technologies are being expanded overseas, mainly in Asia.
(Some of the major companies: YBM Co., Ltd., Kiyomoto Corporation, Kyowakiden
Industry Co., Ltd.)Cluster of biotechnology, medical equipment, cosmetics-related institutions

 Kyushu is home to many traditional fermentation industries such as miso, soy sauce
and shochu as well as many biotechnology companies, universities and research
institutes in the health food industry.
 Primarily in the Higashi Kyushu Medical Valley covering Oita and Miyazaki prefectures,
collaborative industry-university-government initiatives are being carried out to develop
and commercialize new medical devices.
 Genkaicho, in Karatsu City, Saga Prefecture, is working to promote the Karatsu
Cosmetics concept, which aims for a concentration of cosmetics-related industries
through collaboration with overseas entities.
(Some of the major (medical) companies: Asahi Kasei Corporation, Togo Medikit Co., Ltd.)High value-added semiconductor production

 Kyushu has been called “Silicon Island” since the 1970s. The region currently
accounts for 764 billion yen in semiconductor production value, a roughly 44%
share of the national total, and over 1,000 semiconductor companies areconcentrated in the region. (2019)(Some of the major companies: Sony Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation, Renesas Electronics Corporation, Mitsubishi Electric Corporation)6

02 | Main Industries

Rich Cuisine and Local Foods
 Kyushu is a food supply base producing about 20% of the country’s agricultural production. Livestock, vegetables, rice,and fruits are its main production composed of various items. Livestock has the largest production value, accounting for
25% of the national market.
 Food exports are also thriving; Brand-name beef from various places in Kyushu, seafood such as adult and young
yellowtail, vegetables, and fruits are popular overseas. The amount of green tea leaves exported is also increasing.
 A variety of fresh, high quality meat, fish, vegetables and fruits are produced in Kyushu. Tourists from both Japan andoverseas love Kyushu’s food as it is reasonably priced and delicious. The region is also a famous producer of alcoholic
beverages like shochu and sake.

Ramen (Fukuoka Prefecture)

Japanese tiger prawns(Kumamoto Prefecture)

Yobuko squid (Saga Prefecture)

Sekisaba and Sekiaji mackerel(Oita Prefecture)

Shippoku Cuisine (Nagasaki Prefecture)

Miyazaki beef
(Miyazaki Prefecture)

Source: Current Economy of Kyushu, Kyushu Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry; Photo credit: Visit Kyushu Website

Berkshire pork shabu-shabu(Kagoshima Prefecture)7

03 | Research Institutions

The World’s Most Advanced University Research Facilities
Laboratory of Lean SatelliteEnterprises and In-Orbit Experiments
Center for Nanosatellite Testing
Kyushu Institute of Technology
 The Center for Nanosatellite Testing (CeNT) is
equipped specifically for environmental testing ofsatellites weighing up to 50 kg and measuring up
to 50 cm and conducts environmental testing ofsatellites developed by both domestic and foreign
universities and companies.
 Using its data, it also collaborates with various
countries to promote international standardizationof nanosatellite testing.

University of Miyazaki Eco Campus
University of Miyazaki The Eco Campus carries out research on concentrated
solar power (CSP) using large lenses to concentrate
sunlight into small solar cells and research to producehydrogen by electrolyzing water with the CSP
generated.
Lens

PV cell
Depiction of concentrator PV cell
CIS PV cell
100 kW
Solar Frontier K.K.

S licon PV cell
50 kW
Mitsubishi Electric
Corporation

Thin-film silicon
PV cell
4 kW
Kaneka Corporation

Satellite vibration testing system

Beam down typeSolar light co lector

Thermal vacuum
testing system

Concentrator PV cell
1 kW × 2 units
Daido Steel Co., L d.

Concentrator PV cell
10 kW × 2 units
Sumitomo ElectricIndustries, L d.

Concentrator PV cell
10 kW
Sharp Corporation

Sunlight tracking system

Eco Campus

Impact testing system
Source and photo credit: Kyushu Institute of Technology

Source and photo credit: University of Miyazaki803 | Research Institutions

The World’s Most Advanced Research Institutions
Kyushu Synchrotron Light ResearchCenter (SAGA-LS) Supplying synchrotron light (powerful X-rays) to be sharedby governments, industry and academia, this state-of-theart research center is used for a wide range of researchand development, such as analysis of materials,
ingredients, and electronic devices, product evaluation,
component prototyping including microfabrication, and crop
mutation breeding.
Synchrotron light is the lightemitted when electrons,
moving at velocities close to
the speed of light, areforced to change direction in
the magnetic field of adeflecting electromagnet
composing an accelerator.
Using synchrotron light as alight source for exposure,micromachining and MEMS
parts in micrometers can be
manufactured withmicrofabrication plating
technologies (the rightimage shows how to
manufacture micro gears).

Deflecting
electromagnet

Electron orbit

N

Hydrogen Energy Test andResearch Center (HyTReC)
 This cutting-edge research center supports thedevelopment of new hydrogen energy industry throughdurability testing of all kinds of hydrogen-related products
from valves and sensor used in hydrogen gas
environments to medium to large hydrogen storing
containers, pressure cycle testing, and joint research anddevelopment with private firms.

ElectronS
Synchrotron light

Specimen

Exposure Development
complete

Source: Kyushu Synchrotron Light Research Center

Ni plating

Source: Hydrogen Energy Test and Research Center (HyTReC)

9

04 | Business Costs and Living Environment

Low Business Costs and Abundant Human Resources
 Commodity prices, office rentals, and labor costs are all low in Kyushu, where business is possible with costs kept low.
Kyushu is said to be nice to live in, with a warm climate, delicious food, a large land area, and friendly people.
 There are nearly 30,000 international students in Kyushu, mostly from countries in Asia, offering abundant high quality
human resources.
Consumer price area difference index for Kyushu and other major cities
105.4

106

7,000

102

Mean office rent

98.5

6,729

5,000

97.5

98

4,000

96

3,000

94

2,674

3,595

Yokohama

Nagoya

Osaka

400

0

341.1
307.7

318.5

Tokyo wards Yokohama

332.2
Taiwan
553
1.9%

290.5
249.4 249.6 258.8

250

1,753

1,426

3,196
1,340

NagoyaOsaka

Fukuoka

Source: Office Market Data, Miki Shoji Co.; Statistical Survey on Retail Prices,
Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications
Compiled by the Kyushu Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry

Worker’s average salary (2019)

379.0

350

3,574

1,000

Fukuoka

Source: Statistical Survey on Retail Prices, Statistics Bureau, Ministry of Internal
Affairs and Communications
Amount (thousand yen)

3,505

1,917

2,000
Tokyo wards

Private housing rent

6,000

99.7

100

300

Office and residential rent in major cities (2019)

8,000

104.7

104

92

Amount(yen/m2)

260.3

243.0

257.3

200

Thailand522
1.8%

Others3,662
12.4%

Indonesia782
2.6%

Vietnam
8,251
27 9%

Sri Lanka
920
3.1%

Number of acceptedinternational students in
Kyushu by nationality
29,581 students
in 2019

South Korea
1,853
6 3%

150
100

Nepal
5,732
19.4%

50

Source: Basic Survey on Wage Structure (2019), Wage and Labour Welfare Statistics
Office, Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare

Kagoshima

Miy azaki

Oita

Kumamoto

NagasakiSaga

Fukuoka

Osaka

Aichi

Kanagawa

Toky oNationwide

0

China
7,306
24.7%

Source: Compiled by the Kyushu Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry based on
Result on an Annual Survey of International Students in Japan (2019), Japan Student
Services Organization10

04 | Business Costs and Living Environment

Education and Healthcare Environment
 Kyushu has an excellent educational environment for children of all ages with high-level international staff. As a school offering highschool equivalency examinations for entering universities in Japan and other countries, Fukuoka Prefecture has an international
school (Fukuoka International School: FIS) that is certified by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)*1. In
addition to the FIS, Linden Hall School, Fukuoka Daiichi High School, and others have an International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma
Programme (DP)*2.
*1 Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC): An educational accreditation organization that accredits international
high school equivalency examinations (certifying individuals as having an academic ability that is equivalent to a high-school
diploma or above)*2 International Baccalaureate: Educational program for developing knowledge and skills to respond to globalization that is offeredin over 5,000 schools in over 150 countries and territories across the world
Note: Students other than those who have graduated from Japanese high schools can also obtain qualifications for entering
universities in Japan and other countries by completing a certain program at an international school that is accredited by aninternational accreditation organization (such as the WASC) or a school offering an International Baccalaureate program.
 To develop its healthcare environment, Kyushu is also pursuing comprehensive measures to accept and support international staff
and create a framework where patients from other countries can receive care without worry. There are 147 medical institutions in
Kyushu that accept patients from abroad to enable response to unexpected situations.
Number of medical institutions offering multilingual support in
Kyushu prefectures:
Fukuoka: 37, Saga: 5, Nagasaki: 17, Kumamoto: 34, Oita: 11,
Miyazaki: 9, Kagoshima: 34* English, Chinese, Korean, and other languages such as
Vietnamese, Portuguese, and Spanish

Sources: Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Ministry of Health,Labour and Welfare, Fukuoka International School

Photo credit: Fukuoka International School11

04 | Business Costs and Living Environment

International Standard Educational Institution
Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (Beppu, Oita)

 Half of the students at Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (APU) are
international students from 90 different countries and territories. APU in
Beppu, Oita, has been ranked first place for three years running among
private universities across Japan, excluding Tokyo, in the Times Higher
Education Japan University Rankings*.
 In one of the leading international environments in Japan, APU has
established educational systems such as multicultural collaborative
learning and is leading the globalization of Japan’s academic institutions.
APU has received AACSB (US) and AMBA (UK) international management
education accreditation and TedQual international tourism education
accreditation from the United Nations World Tourism Organization,achieving recognition as an academic institution that provides world-leading
education. APU was selected by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports,
Science and Technology as a Super Global University in its
Top Global University Project and received the highest rank of S in the2020 intermediate rankings.

*Rankings of only Japanese universities that have been published since 2017 by Times Higher Education (THE), a British academic magazine
Source and photo credit: Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University

12

05 | Attractive Nature and Culture

World Heritage Site in Kyushu①
Yakushima (Kagoshima Prefecture) Registered as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site in 1993, Yakushima in
Kagoshima Prefecture is an island located approximately 60 km southsouthwest of Cape Sata, the southernmost point of Kyushu. It has many
1,000 meter and higher mountains such as Mt. Miyanoura, Kyushu’s tallest
peak and one of Japan’s 100 famous mountains, earning Yakushima thename Alps of the Sea.
 1,000 year and older Yakusugi cedars, numerous unique indigenous plants,
and naturally-growing southern and northern limit vegetation make up its
diverse flora distribution and create extremely unique ecosystems andstunning natural beauty.

Mt. Nagata
Photo credit: Yakushima Tourism Association

Yakusugi cedar13

05 | Attractive Nature and Culture

World Heritage Site in Kyushu➁
Sites of Japan's Meiji Industrial Revolution: Iron & Steel, Shipbuilding and Coal Mining (1) The Sites of Japan's Meiji Industrial Revolution: Iron & Steel, Shipbuilding and Coal Mining are 23 heritage sites withoutstanding universal value.
 They tell the story of overcoming the pains of the major transformations that occurred when the country opened and during the
Meiji Restoration, the half century of human resources development, and the building of a social system that could accept anindustrial revolution—fifty years of massive changes in Japan’s heavy industry and transformation of the national identity.

Shuseikan Ruins (Kagoshima Prefecture)
Ruins of the Shuseikan Reverberatory Furnace. Concerned
about coastal defense, the Satsuma Clan wished to cast large
iron canons. With a Dutch technical manual in hand, they built
reverberatory furnaces themselves without any assistance fromforeign engineers. This is one of only three that remain of the 11
reverberatory furnaces built in Japan in the 1850s to castcannons. The Shuseikan Project tells the story of the Satsuma
Clan’s trial and error while experimenting in Western science.

Mietsu Naval Dock Site
(Saga Prefecture)

The Mietsu Naval Dock was built in 1861 and is Japan’s
oldest remaining dock. It was excavated from 2009 to 2012.
The wooden framework on the front is fixed to posts on thesides to hold it in place, and the entire structure is supportedwith inner walls, leaving it in perfect condition.

Source and photo credit: World Heritage Council for the Sites of Japan's Meiji Industrial Revolution14

05 | Attractive Nature and Culture

World Heritage Site in Kyushu③
Sites of Japan's Meiji Industrial Revolution: Iron & Steel, Shipbuilding and Coal Mining (2) Japan was the first non-Western country to successfully take on industrialization and achieved worldwide recognition as amodern nation. Through industrialization, the country’s social and economic prospects changes dramatically, and it gained ageopolitical position on the global stage.
 This success greatly owed to Japan’s aggressive adoption of industrial technologies from the West in its heavy industries,
primarily iron and steel manufacturing, shipbuilding, and coal.

Hashima Coal Mine (Nagasaki Prefecture)
The Hashima Coal Mine is located 3 km southwest of
Takashima and is used to mine for mineral deposits from the
Nishisonogi submarine coalfield, similar to the Takashima Coal
Mine. The new land surrounding the small rocky island is
enclosed in a fortress-like seawall to protect the island from tidal
waves. In its zenith, Hashima had the most densely-populated
coal mining community in the world.

Miike Coal Mine and Manda Pit(Kumamoto Prefecture)
Manda Pit was the main pithead for the Miike Coal Minefrom in the first half of the twentieth century.
You can still see structures
built in the late Meiji period
such as the remains of thesecond shaft and the steel
headframe used to lift people
and horses and ventilate themine as well as thescaffolding, foundation of thewinder room, and part of the
Debbie pump room.

Source and photo credit: World Heritage Council for the Sites of Japan's Meiji Industrial Revolution15

06 | Global Companies

World Leading Global Niche Top Company①
Asahi Yukizai Corporation

Top share in the market of highly chemical-resistant, long life plastic valves

Asahi Yukizai has maintained their founding philosophy of replacing metal materials withorganic materials and grown into a unique corporate group with niche top products.
Details of Global Niche Top Product• Asahi Yukizai’s plastic valves are characterized by strong chemical resistance but
have been even more superior by thickening and reinforcing the wall with metal to
make up for the lack of strength compared to same-shaped metal valves.
• The company’s products are used in large steel manufacturing and electrolysis plants,
aquariums, fishing facilities, and semiconductor manufacturing facilities. In thesemarkets, continued development and important to achieve strong chemical andcorrosion resistance, low metal elution, and precise flow control earned them top
share.
Strategy and business model• Asahi Yukizai has a vision of accelerating its global expansion into the plastic valve
market and becoming the unbeatable top anti-corrosion solutions company inside andoutside Japan. Its business began with the prototyping a valve made of vinyl chloride
resin that is highly corrosion resistant in respond to a client’s request for a valve that
could withstand highly concentrated chemical solutions.
• Asahi Yukizai successfully created the world’s first total plastic valve in 1956 and has
been expanding its lineup of light weight, rust-free, long-life products and increasing its
brand power ever since.
The company began expanding internationally in 1963 and now has a network
supplying its products to over 50 countries around the globe. All manufacturing
processes from material blending to forming that require unique expertise are carriedout domestically (Nobeoka, Miyazaki Prefecture).
Photo credit:2020 Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry Global Niche Top Companies Selection 100, Asahi Yukizai Corporation

Global Niche Top
Product
ASAHI AV Valve
Plastic valves are used in
facilities such as steel
manufacturing and chemicalplants, water systems for
agriculture, aquariums, andother applications
Phenol resin products aresupplied for fields such as
automotive, housing andconstruction, liquid crystal, andsemiconductors

Corporate Data
Representative: Kazuya Nakano, President &Representative Director
Phone: 03-5826-8820
0982-35-0880
Established: 1945
URL: https://www.asahi-yukizai.co.jp/
Tokyo Head Office:3-24-6 Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo
21st Floor, Ueno Frontier Tower
Nobeoka Head Office: 2-5955 Nakanose-cho,
Nobeoka, Miyazaki
Employees: 1,528
Global Niche Top (GNT) ProductProduct: ASAHI AV Valve16

06 | Global Companies

World Leading Global Niche Top Company➁
Sanshu Sangyo Co., Ltd.

Top global share in the vapor heat treatment field for plant quarantine

Since its founding as a manufacturer of leaf tobacco dryers in 1948, Sanshu Sangyo is apioneering manufacturer of temperature control heating and cooling systems that has
expanded past tobacco to develop products for various applications such as protectedhorticulture and agricultural and fishery processing products for various fields
throughout the world.
Details of Global Niche Top Product• A Vapor Heat Treatment System (VHT) is a system that maintains fruit quality and kills pests
with heat and vapor, without using any chemicals. It is used in plant quarantine to control the
spread of diseases and pests throughout the world. The VHT reliably kills harmful insects
and controls its internal temperature to within 0.1°C without damaging the fruit.
• Current VHTs in production are capable of partial operation to reduce running costs
depending on the treatment volume and of future expansion to handle increased volumes in
the future. They are patented inside and outside Japan and have top share of the niche
vapor heat treatment market.
Strategy and business model• Sanshu Sangyo has manufactured leaf tobacco dryers for many years. Using its heat control
technologies, it developed the vapor heat treatment system in 1983 to kill melon flies
infesting green peppers in Okinawa. The company next used ODA to export test vapor heat
treatment systems for mangoes to the Philippines and Thailand and then commercial
systems for papayas to Hawaii. Further ODA was used to export test systems to Taiwan,
China, Malaysia, Australia, Brazil, Colombia, Peru, Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan, Vietnam, andIndonesia. After official export ban lifting, the company began exporting commercial systems
to each of those countries.
• Using its nearly 40 years of experience, Sanshu Sangyo has continued developing systems
to meet modern needs. Its latest system is now patented and holds top share of the global
market.
Source and photo credit: 2020 Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry Global Niche Top Companies Selection
100, Sanshu Sangyo Co., Ltd.

Global Niche Top Product:
Vapor Heat Treatment System

Drying to
add value

Corporate Data
Representative: Tatsuro Fujimura, President &Representative Director
Phone: 099-269-1821
Established: 1948
URL: https://www.sanshu.co.jp
Address: 4-11-2 Nanei, Kagoshima,
Kagoshima
Employees: 71
Global Niche Top (GNT) Product
Vapor Heat Treatment System using advanced
heat control technology

17

06 | Global Companies

World Leading Global Niche Top Company③
Chukoh Chemical Industries, Ltd.

Pioneer in the domestic sector for fluororesin membrane used in roofing materials

As a total processing manufacturer of high-performance resin such as
fluororesin and silicone resin, Chukoh Chemical Industries’ products areused in numerous countries and regions around the world and include
everything from materials for large scale facilities like major global hub
airports to commercial facilities supporting daily life, products to ensure
safety in motorized society, and even green products.
Details of Global Niche Top Product• Recognized as top class globally for quality and production scale in the fabricproduct*1 sector.
*1 Sheets of industrial heat-resistant cloth impregnated with fluororesin and sintered• Using this manufacturing technology as a base, strong glass fibers and specialty
fluororesin coating were combined to develop the first domestically-produced
permanent roof membrane material with numerous outstanding features.
• This membrane material is thin and light, weather-resistant (inactive to UV rays andair pollutants), self cleaning (dirt does not stick and each rain washes it clean),translucent (providing natural brightness), and nonflammable (certified by the
Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism).
• The company also has a portfolio of grades to match requirements in design, scale,construction material, and interior material that is available worldwide in its ‘global
fluorine store.’
Strategy and business model• Among large membrane construction applications, the product is used for many large
sporting events such as the World Cup and the Olympics, so it is essential to pay
attention to the unique requirements after explaining the characteristics of themembrane material to the client or design company and ensuring full understanding.
The company seeks to resolve the many challenges brought its way, resulting in
numerous achievements.
Photo credit: 2020 Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry Global Niche Top Companies Selection 100,
Chukoh Chemical Industries, Ltd.

Fluorspar used as theraw ingredient andfluororesin products

FI plant in Matsuura, Nagasaki, where
the company was founded.
Manufacturing roofing materials withthe latest equipment

Global Niche Top Product:
ChukohSky (TM) FGT-800
Suvarnabhumi Airport(Bangkok, Thailand)
J Village (Fukushima)

Corporate Data
Representative: Naoyuki Shono, Representative Director
Phone: 03-6230-4414
Established: 1963
URL: https://www.chukoh.co.jp/
Address: 10th floor, ATT New Tower, 2-11-7,
Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Employees: 449
Global Niche Top (GNT) ProductChukohSky(TM) FGT series fluororesin membranematerial for construction18

06 | Global Companies

World Leading Global Niche Top Company④
FUJIISEIKO Co., Ltd.

Group of Ultraprecision Die Machining Professionals

Since its founding, FUJIISEIKO has become one of the few total specialty ultraprecision
die manufacturers in Japan, with vast experience supplying semiconductor, electrical,
and electronic part dies and motor core dies to major manufacturers domestically andabroad.
Details of Global Niche Top Product• FUJIISEIKO’s GNT is a specialty needle for inserting the world’s smallest glaucoma stent*1
that was developed by Glaukos, a leading glaucoma medical device manufacturer
headquartered in the US. The stent is ejected from inside the tiny needle and inserted into
an eye cell.
• Correct operation requires an extremely thin insertion part with a φ 0.33 mm tip that can
open and close and has a clamp function*2. For this reason, FUJIISEIKO used its press dietechnology to force the internal stress up and down and sideways to add threedimensionality to the tip of the super-thin needle shape, successfully developing technology
to mass produce the part for insertion.
*1 A medical device to widen the lumen of tube-shaped parts of the body (such as bloodvessels, trachea, esophagus, duodenum, colon, and bile duct)*2 Function that lets the user safely and reliably press down on material without using theirhands
Strategy and business model• In 2015, FUJIISEIKO started on its journey as a key company to develop its precision
processing applications for increasingly sophisticated medical fields, build a collaborative
framework for the North Kyushu area that is full of manufacturing technology, and promote
the entire regions participation in medical fields.
• The company succeeded in developing technology to mass produce key parts for medical
instruments used in glaucoma treatment by applying its original press due technology to
precision processing. In doing so, it became the main supplier of leading US company
Glaukos, a pioneer in Microinvasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS). The company also built an
ISO 13485 quality system from early on and has passed the supplier inspection based on
the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Photo credit: 2020 Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry Global Niche Top Companies Selection 100,
FUJIISEIKO Co., Ltd.

Global Niche Top ProductStent insertion instrument(Specialty needle for tip)
Medical instrument
manufacturing environment
Class 1,000 clean
environment

Unbeatable
technological powerthat brings everyone
with precision press
die needs to
FUJIISEIKO

Corporate Data
Representative: Fukuyoshi Fujii, President
Phone: 0949-42-5651
Established: 1976
URL: http://www.fujiiseiko.com/
Address: 10567-1 Muroki, Kurate-machi,
Kurate-gun, Fukuoka
Employees: 84
Global Niche Top (GNT) Product
Implant insertion device for Micro-Invasive
Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS)

19

０７｜Examples of business start-up by foreigners in Kyushu
Examples of business start-up by foreigners in Kyushu① IKKYU G.K.
Delivering food and culture of Kyushu to the world

・IKKYUG.K. is a sales company of Japanese teas for foreigners. Taking advantage of experiences in trades between
Japan and Europe at the Japanese branch of IT&IP Strategy Advisory, we are specialized in branding for foreigners.
・Due to the lack of overseas promotion such as English website or documents, Teas produced in Kyushu are
underknown in other countries, although the quality is equal to or higher than internationally-renowned Uji Tea or
Shizuoka Tea.

・Therefore, We only sell high-quality teas selected from our perspective to the world online.We can offer better
prices, because we have direct dealings with farmers. Inaddition, we wrap products up in Japanese papers. Package
designs and tea recipes in English are highly appreciated by foreigners all of which are reasons why our products
are popular as souvenirs.。

Business operations from Fukuoka with an eye to the world

・Fukuoka is a compact city with good access to transportation, and business costs are kept low. In addition,
housing costs are low, and the nature is in proximity to the city, all of which make Fukuoka a comfortable place forliving and business. For example, when you plan to visit your clients, you may only visit around two companies in
one day in Osaka or Tokyo if you travel by train. In Fukuoka, you can visit more companies by bicycle.
・On the other hand, doing business or in daily life in Japan always requires extra time, efforts and money, In
addition, We face different problems when we acquire a visa or renew a resident status, conclude an office lease
contract or loan contract or find a guarantee for credit loan. Furthermore, a similar situation arises to contract acredit card or mobile phone.

Outline of Company

Name: IKKYU G.K.
Founders: Stephane Camus, Aldo Bloise,
Joelle Sambuc-Bloise
Address: Noke 8-29-7, Sawara-ku,
Fukuoka City, Japan 814-0171
TEL: +81-92-407-1721
URL: https://ikkyu-tea.com Established:
May 2016
Business outline: Sales of green tea
produced in
Kyushu for overseas markets

・Furthermore, overseas remittance is basically free in Europe, while you have to pay high commissions in Japan.
You need to help clients in Europe understand this fact.
・The most complicated problem is the different sense of speed in business between Japan and other countries. I
feel that Japanese companies should take note of quick response and immediate decisions on business, if theywant to operate globally. A wide range of generations of farmers we currently deal with understand global markets
and respond quickly, once they start to have dealings with us. It is our advantage that we can make deals at thesame speed as overseas companies.

Transmitting the appeal of Kyushu to the world

・We are now planning to promote other local products in Kyushu taking advantage of tea. It is our sincere desire that more people in the world get to know the teasfrom Kyushu and the entire region.

Source: Kyushu Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry HP

20

０７｜ Examples of business start-up by foreigners in Kyushu
Examples of business start-up by foreigners in Kyushu②
Leading Video Production Company in Kyushu
・STEQQI offers video production, photography and consulting services for overseas operations. I serve as CEO of
this company and came to Japan from Thailand to study at Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (APU). After I
graduated from the university, I established this company together with 2 friends.
・We have employees from three countries (Thailand, Vietnam and Japan) in our company, which gives us anadvantage that we count on diverse perspectives. We are striving to produce videos many people can be attracted
to, keeping in mind that people have different values.
・We mainly produce promotion videos, which is longer than CM (about 2~3 minutes) We can include explanation,
but it is important to create a storyline which does not bore viewers and can transmit the message in an easy-tounderstand way.

STEQQI

Outline of company

Name: STEQQI
CEO:
WATCHARAINTHORN KHAMKHERD
Address: 1-19-1,Hamawaki, Beppu City,
Oita, 874-0926, Japan
TEL: +81-80-4288-3558
URL: https://www.steqqi.com/
Established: April 2018
ess outline: Video production, photography,
consulting

From hobby to business・I had a feeling that I’m capable of leading a project based on experiences in creating a work in cooperation with others
in a competition during my college years. Moreover, since few companies used to produce videos as a promotion tool,
I thought that this was a chance of business. I learnt what I needed specifically to start a business throughconsultations with the Oita International Students Business Center (SPARKLE) and received support for preparations forstarting a business.
・We had a trouble in understanding legal terms and preparing necessary documents before starting this business.
However, we have received full support from SPARKLE and experts such as certified administrative procedures legal
specialists.
・Moreover, business costs are relatively low in Oita so that production costs are kept lower in Oita than in big cities tocreate the same quality of videos. This is the reason why we receive requests from other areas.

STEQQI famous for promotion videos

・I feel that promotion videos are not fully utilized as a PR tool to transmit advantages of companies and appealing characteristics of goods and services. We live in the age
where anyone can easily film a video with his/her mobile phone or video camera, we are confident that our high-quality and well-structured videos based on stories canbe useful for widely transmitting appeals aspects of companies.
・Moreover, since our videos are produced mainly in Kyushu, we hope that many people view them and have a chance to get to know how charming Kyusyu is. I don’t
want to forget connections with people, appreciation for them and, more than anything, the joy I feel when I produce videos which has not changed from the past.
My goal is that this company grows to be a leading video production company in Kyushu.
Source: Kyushu Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry HP

21

08 | Government and Aid Organization Initiatives
Strategy for Growth Industries in Kyushu and Okinawa: Kyushu-Okinawa Earth Strategy II Kyushu carries out initiatives in four strategic areas that leverage Kyushu and Okinawa’s strengths to achieve its
sustainable development as the gateway to Asia trying to resolve new challenges.
 The Kyushu-Okinawa Regional Council for Industrial Competitiveness developed its strategy in 2014 under a publicprivate partnership. As of 2021, 21 projects are underway on Stage 2, incorporating new perspectives.

Strategic Areas

Medical, Healthcare,and Cosmetics
HealthProject on Promoting Industrial Base Formation
for Geothermal and Hot Spring Heat Energy
Project on Establishing Base Formation for
Marine Renewable Energy Industry
Clean

Earth
Agriculture, Forestry,
Fisheries, and Food
Agriculture

Project on Realizing Kyushu Hydrogen Energy
Society

Sightseeing
Tourism

Four strategic areas

Clean
Energy & Environment

21 projects promoted under the Kyushu-Okinawa Earth
Strategy II

Project on Promoting Industrial Base Formation
for Kyushu and Asia Environmental Energy
Industry
Project on Promoting Healthcare Industry
Project for Bases Creating Innovative Medical
Medical, Healthcare, Products
and Cosmetics
Project on Promoting Biotechnology Industry
Project on Promoting Kyushu Food Exports

Four Common Perspectives
Work-stylereformSource: Kyushu-Okinawa Regional Council for Industrial CompetitivenessAfter Corona

Project on Promoting Smart Agriculture
Agriculture,
Forestry, Fisheries, Project on Promoting Smart Fisheries Industry
and Food
Project on Promoting Innovation from Agricultural,
Mountain, and Fishery Areas
Sightseeing
SDGs
Cross-cutting Initiatives

AdvancedFounding
Technologies
and Venture
SDGs
and Drones
Businesses
Diversity
Global Human
Management
Resources

SDGs

Project on Establishing Base for Organic
Photonics and Electronics Industry

Project on Promoting Karatsu Cosmetics Initiative

Cross-cutting Initiatives

Advanced
Technologies

Project on Promoting Asia’s Advanced Base
Formation for Northern Kyushu Automotive
Industry

Project for Kyushu Tourism Strategy
Project on Promoting Kyushu SDGs Management

Founding and Project on Promoting Founding and Venture
Venture Businesses Businesses
Advanced
Technologies andDronesGlobal Human
Resources

Project on Promoting Advanced Technology
Utilization
Project on Promoting Drone Industry
Project on Promoting Use of Lightweight Ruby for
Embedded Software in Manufacturing
Project on Promoting Development and Utilizationof Global Human Resources22

08 | Government and Aid Organization Initiatives

Economic Exchange Based on MOUs Concluded with Asian Countries
 Kyushu Economy International is an unified organization that acts as the office for the Kyushu Economic Federation and
the Kyushu Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry and pursues economic exchange with other countries, primarily in
Asia, to promote integrated public-private internationalization in Kyushu.
 In particular, Kyushu has concluded MOUs with Asian countries to promote economic
exchange that is being used in activities linked to business, for example throughdispatch of missions to each other’s countries and business meetings.
MOUs concluded by the Kyushu
Economy International(with government organizations)FrancePriority fields: Biotechnology

Nationwide

South
Korea

China

KyushuCounterpart

Vietnam

Planning and Investment Ministry

Indonesia

Investment Coordinating Board of the
Republic of Indonesia

ThailandThe Board of Investment of Thailand

Malaysia

Malaysian Investment Development
Authority

Shanghai
India

MyanmarHong Kong

Thailand
Vietnam
Malaysia
Singapore
Indonesia

TaiwanMOUs concluded by the Kyushu
Economic Federation(with private organizations)

Country/region

Counterpart

Hong Kong

The Chinese General Chamber ofCommerce, Hong Kong

TaiwanThe Chinese National Associationof Industry and Commerce, Taiwan

Hong Kong

Hong Kong Trade Development
CouncilIndonesia

Indonesian Chamber of Commerceand Industry

Myanmar

The Union of Myanmar Federationof Chambers of Commerce andIndustry

Singapore

Singapore Business Federation

India

Federation of Indian Chambers ofCommerce and Industry

China

Shanghai Entrepreneur Association

MOUs concluded by industrial clusters
Nationwide

Counterpart

Kyushu side

Korea

Korea Industrial Complex
Corporation

Kyushu Renewable Energy andEnvironmental Industry Promotion Association

China

DalianKyushu Renewable Energy andEnvironmental Industry Promotion Association

China

Shandong

Kyushu Renewable Energy andEnvironmental Industry Promotion Association

Malaysia

Melaka Green Technology
Cooperation

Kyushu Renewable Energy andEnvironmental Industry Promotion Association

FranceFrench Food Cluster

Kyushu Bio Cluster ConferenceFranceBleu Blanc Coeur

Kyushu Bio Cluster Conference

VietnamHo Chi Minh City
Semiconductor Industry
Association

Kyushu Semiconductor & Electronics
Technology Innovation Association23

08 | Government and Aid Organization Initiatives

Promoting Export of Honkaku Shochu from KyushuKyushu accounts for about 96% of the nation’s exports of Honkaku Shochu export, a single-distilled alcoholic beverage that
accentuates the rich flavors of the ingredients. In 2019, Japan exported about 66 billion yen in alcoholic beverages, of which about 1.5
billion yen (about 2.3%) was shochu, showing promise for development of overseas markets.
To develop overseas markets for alcoholic beverages from Kyushu, based on the EPA concluded between Japan and the EU, Kyushu
uses exchange between Kyushu Economy International and the Kura Master Association that holds Japanese sake competitions inFrance to promote Honkaku Shochu from Kyushu and boost its recognition in Europe.
Such activities include seminars in France as a hub for food culture in Europe that offers great potential for developing the Honkaku
Shochu market, invitations for Kura Master representatives to come to Kyushu, online posting of brewer profiles, and businessmeetings, for example. Even in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, online activities have enabled participation by around 100
people including brewers as well as buyers and importers from Paris and other urban and rural places around France. Kyushu willcontinue developing Honkaku Shochu markets in Europe.
Honkaku Shochu seminar in Paris

Online profile of brewers (tasting)Tasting of Kyushu Honkaku Shochu and round table discussion by Kura Master (Kagoshima)24

09 | Aid for Investment in Japan

Japan Innovation Bridge
 J-Bridge is a business platform to facilitate collaboration or M&A between Japanese companies and overseas
startups/businesses in six priority fields through open innovation.
 Member companies are provided with information (including demonstration project information) about promising startups inpriority fields in target countries and territories, and coordinators provide hands-on individualized support for every stage
from consultation to project formation. Members can also connect with one another on the dedicated member’s website.
Unregistered companies can also browse the web portal and view online events.

What J-Bridge can do

What is J-Bridge?
Target countries
and regions
 South East
Asia (*1)
 India Israel Australia
 United States(*2)
 Europe (*2)
 JapanPriority fields
CarbonneutralHealthcare

RetailMobility

Agriculture andfishery industries

Smart city

*1 With a priority on Singapore, Indonesia,
and Vietnam*2 In the US and Europe, focusing on
supporting overseas companies withcarbon-neutral technologies.

Service

Target fields*
 Companies andothers wishing tocollaborate withoverseasstartups todevelop products
and services formarkets in target
countries andterritories
outside of Japan*Aimed at Japanesecompanies, tradeassociations, universities,
and consortiums of thoseentities

Inquiries: JETRO DX Promotion TeamE-mail: DXPT@jetro.go.jp
Sources: Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry website,
Japan External Trade Organization website

Step 1: To allcompanies
interested incollaboration andalliances withoverseasbusinesses

Step 2: To allcompanies who want toproceed with concrete
collaboration andalliances

Step 3: To allcompanies withcollaboration or alliancepartners who want totest effectiveness

Main service components

DX Portal• Receive market and company
information on the dedicated
DX Portal website

DX Platform• Browse online events* linked
to collaboration and alliances

Member services
Dedicatedsite formembersEventmeeting
supportEscortprogramTest
supportprogram*Webinars, pitch events, businessmeetings, other• See a list of promisingoverseas companies(information about individualcompanies)• Browse past events• Connect with other members• Speak and participate inpitch events• Business matching withpromising companies• Comprehensive support or
specified field support instrategy formulation, partner
discovery, and project
formation• Receive subsidy for
performing PoC in digital fields
in Asia25

09 | Aid for Investment in Japan

Fukuoka Prefectural Aid for Investment in Japan
Cluster target areas

Recent status of corporate establishment

Cutting-edge growth industry and high added-value
industry fields related to concentration of industries
and intelligence in Fukuoka Prefecture* Automotive, biotechnology, IoT, robot systems,
hydrogen energy, aircrafts, semiconductors, other

FY 2003 to FY 2019

228 companies in total

Change in the number of companies invited

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004

Fukuoka Prefectural Subsidy for Promotion of Corporate
LocationTarget industries:• Manufacturing and business facilities of the following
sectors
Manufacturing, road cargo transport, software, contact
centers, other• Specific business facilities having headquarters function
division
Investigation and planning division, R&D division,
information processing division, otherAmount:(1) Capital investment amount (excluding land acquisitioncost) x 2%
(2) Half of annual rental amount of an operation facility(3) 300,000 yen per Prefecture resident newly employed asa regular worker within 3 years of commencement ofbusiness operations*Details may vary by sector or municipality.
*Please consult in advance regarding application.

2003

Subsidy program (subsidies)
By country• North America: 31 companies (US: 28, Canada: 3)• Europe: 39 companies (Germany: 11, UK: 5, Switzerland: 4,
France: 4, Italy: 3, other: 12)• Asia and other areas: 158 companies (China: 84, S. Korea: 40,
Taiwan: 12, India: 4, Singapore: 4, Australia: 2, other: 12)

Establishing companies (excerpt)

Accenture Japan Ltd. (US, Fukuoka City)
Amazon Japan G.K. (US, Fukuoka City)
Fresenius Medical Care Japan K.K. (Germany, Buzen City)

Inquiries
Section of Establishment of New Businesses, Department ofCommerce and Industry, Fukuoka Prefectural Government
7-7 Higashikoen, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka, Fukuoka, 812-8577
Phone: 092-643-3441 E-mail: info@investfk.jp
URL: http://www.investfk.jp/

26

09 | Aid for Investment in Japan

Saga Prefectural Aid for Investment in JapanFew
earthquakes

No forecast
Nankai TroughtsunamidamageCluster target areas

Tax system

1) Cosmetics
2) Medicine
3) Semiconductors
4) Robotics
5) Automotive and aircraft

A Municipality

Number of companies relocating to Saga recently

Saga Prefecture special industrial zone
for establishment of business facilities

5 exemptions + 5 reductions of fixed asset tax*Five year full exemption followed by five year 50% exemption

Subsidies

FY 2015.............13 companies 40
FY 2016.............24 companies
30
FY 2017.............20 companies
FY 2018.............39 companies 20
FY 2019.............21 companies

0(Saga, Karatsu, Taku, Takeo, Kashima, Ogi, Kanzaki, Yoshinogari, Arita,
Miyaki, and Kiyama)
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

Saga Prefecture Relocation Promotion
Subsidy for Factories
Maximum 24 times ofA

B* Cities and towns each offer various subsidies depending on needs,
including employment and land acquisition incentives.

Eleven cities and towns in the prefecture have been designatedas special zones to carry out integrated preferential measures.

10

Subsidies

Few natural
disasters

additional amount
depending on thelocation, industry sector,
and other factors

Financial incentives to promote
new business facility establishment
Total investment x 2/100 x additional amountSpecial support for foreign companies

Financial incentives to promote employment
500,000 to 1 million yen per locally-hired new employee

B Prefecture (Selective system with the Saga

Prefecture Relocation Promotion Subsidy for Factories)

5 exemptions + 5 reductions of corporate
business tax*Five year full exemption followed by five year 50% exemption

Real estate acquisition tax exempted

Inquiries

Corporate Location Promotion Division, Department ofIndustry and Labor, Saga Prefectural Government
1-1-59 Jonai, Saga, Saga, 840-8570
Phone: 0952-25-7097
URL: http://saga.kigyouricchi.jp/

27

09 | Aid for Investment in Japan

Nagasaki Prefectural Aid for Investment in Japan

Cluster target areas

Recent status of corporate establishment(Manufacturing)(1) Automotive (including next-generation vehicles)(2) Industrial machinery such as energy efficient andautomated machines(3) ICT/5G (electronic components, vehicle and robot
software, manufacturing design and development)(4) Aircraft(5) Semiconductor manufacturing machines(6) Precision equipment and medical/healthcare devices(7) Food processing(Office)(1) ICT (financial IT, information security)(2) BPO, administrative processing centers (insurance,
shared)Nagasaki Prefecture has been a bridge between Japan andthe continent since ancient times. After the first ships from
Portugal arrived in Hirado in 1550, the prefecture has been awindow to the West, the only open port in Japan during theEdo period. The area thrived, incorporating cultures fromdifferent countries and carrying out exchanges with many
people.
Local attributes that were nurtured over this long history arecoupled with tourist and cultural spots located throughout theprefecture and hot springs that served as health resorts toforeigner visitors. Nagasaki is home to many foreigncompanies including the AIG Group, Metlife, Zurich Insurance,
and Chubb Insurance. Many of Japan’s leading global
companies in the manufacturing industry are based in theprefecture, including Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Sony,
Canon, and Ariake Japan and it is also becoming a hotspot for
information service companies such as Fujifilm, Kyocera,
Denso, and Zenrin.

Subsidies
1 Subsidy for facility investment such as factories
Maximum subsidy of 3 billion yen is provided for theestablishment of companies in 6 industries including
manufacturing, natural science laboratories, software, andmechanical repairs, as well as business establishment
supporting companies (leasing industry).
2 Subsidy for business to attract office companies
Maximum subsidy of 750 million yen for establishment of an
office-type business such as call center, administrative work
center, software development center, or general affairs andaccounting administrative work center for headquarters.

Inquiries
The Foundation of Encourage Nagasaki Industry
2-11 Dejima-machi, Nagasaki, Nagasaki, 850-0862
Phone: 095-820-8890 Fax: 095-827-5243
URL: http://www.joho-nagasaki.or.jp/invest/28

09 | Aid for Investment in Japan©2010 Kumamoto
Prefecture Kumamon

Kumamoto Prefectural Aid for Investment in Japan
Cluster target areas Semiconductor industries
 Automotive and transport equipment industries
 Food and pharmaceutical industries

System to Support the Establishmentof Operations in Kumamoto
Prefecture
 Total support from dedicated staff
 Even more generous subsidy support than isoffered to domestic companies
 Establishment of overseas offices (Shanghai,
Hong Kong, Singapore) and international
shipping routes (Kumamoto and Yatsushiro ports)

Subsidies and incentives
 Kumamoto Prefectural Subsidies for Promoting

Establishment of Business Facilities (foreigncompanies) Subsidies
 Amount: Up to 150 million yen(1) (5% of investment amount) + (2) (500,000 yen × thenumber of new hires) Eligibility
Manufacturers with foreign ownership exceeding 50%(No requirements for investment amount or the number of
new employees)
Preferential treatment for companies whose foreign ownership exceeds 50%!

 Kumamoto Prefectural Subsidies for Promoting

Establishment of Business Facilities (large-scale
investment companies) Subsidies
 Amount: Up to 5 billion yen(1) (8 to 15% of investment amount) + (2) (500,000 yen ×
the number of new hires)* The subsidy rate for the investment amount iscommensurate with the number of new hires.

 Eligibility

Companies investing 20 billion yen or more and hiring 200
or more new employees.
Subsidies up to 5 billion yen for large-scale investments!

*Tax incentives are also available. Please inquire for details.

Recent status of corporate establishment
1990: Teradyne (U.S.), 2000: Air Liquide (France)
2015: F-WAVE (New Zealand), 2016: Kwong Lung Japan (Taiwan)

Inquiries

Industrial Recruitment & Location Division, Department of Commerce,
Industry, Tourism and Labor, Kumamoto Prefecture Government
6-18-1 Suizenji, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto, Kumamoto, 862-8570
TEL: 096-333-2330 URL: http://www.kumamoto-investment.jp/
Navigation system for investing in Japan’s local regions
http://www.jetro.go.jp/invest/region/kumamoto/29

09 | Aid for Investment in Japan

Oita Prefectural Aid for Investment in Japan

Cluster target areas

Tax system

1. Automotive and transport equipment industries
2. Electronics, electrical, and machinery industries
3. Materials and shipbuilding industries
4. Medical device industries
5. Environment and energy industries
6. Food industries and agricultural, forestry, and fisheryindustries
7. Service industries 8. Information industries
9. Aircraft industries 10. Logistics industries

Act on Special Measures for Promotion for Independence
for Underpopulated Areas
Companies that file taxes using the blue form and invest
between 5 and 20 million yen may be eligible for a businesstax exemption for three years, real estate acquisition tax
exemption, and property tax exemption for three years.
There are other tax incentives as well, for example based on
the Regional Future Investment Promotion Act.

Subsidy for promoting establishment of office business in Oita Prefecture
Target companies: Information industries, BPO, call centers
Requirements: 10 or more new employees (30 or more for core cities, etc.)
Subsidy: Number of new employees x 200,000 yen (100,000 yen for corecities) (for 3 years)+ (Land/ building acquisition amount + Investment amount on the
fixed asset) x 3%
+ Office rent x 1/3 (for 3 years)+ Dedicated communication line using fee x 1/2 (for 3 years)
Maximum amount: 100 million yen (information industries)
280 million yen (BPO, call center industries)

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

Change in the number of companies invited

2004

Subsidy of Oita Prefecture for promotion of establishment of enterprises
Target companies: Manufacturing
Requirements:(New) 10 or more new local employees / Capital investment of 300 million yen
or more(Expansion) 5 or more new local employees / Capital investment of 200 million
yen or more
Subsidy: Number of new employees x 500,000 yen (800,000 yen forunderpopulated areas) + (Land/ building acquisition amount +Investment amount on the fixed asset) x 3%
Maximum amount: 330 million yen

2003

Subsidies and incentives

Recent status of corporate establishment

2012: Valeo Japan Co., Ltd. (France)
2013: Texas Instruments Incorporated Hiji Packaging Center (US)2018: Concur Technologies (US)Inquiries
Department of Labor, Industry andCommerce Oita Prefectural Government
Industrial Location Division
870-8501
3-1-1 Ohte-machi, Oita, Oita
Phone: 097-506-3246
Oita Prefecture Industrial Location Guide (English)
Download from http://www.ritti-oita.jp/
URL: http://www.ritti-oita.jp/
Navigation system for investing in Japan’s local regions
http://www.jetro.go.jp/invest/region/oita/30

09 | Aid for Investment in Japan

Miyazaki Prefectural Aid for Investment in Japan
Cluster target areas (priority fields)
1) Food business industries
2) Information services industries
3) Environment and energy industries4) Medical device industries
5) Automotive industries
6) Emerging industries (robotics, aircraft, other)

Subsidy program
Subsidy of Miyazaki Prefecture for promotion of theestablishment of enterprises
Manufacturing industries and testing and research
institutions(1) Number of new local hires x 300,000 yen(2) Investment amount x 4%
Information services industries(1) Number of new local hires x 600,000 yen(2) Investment amount x 8%
(3) Dedicated communication line using fee x 50% (for 3
years)(4) One-third of facilities expenses (renovation expenses)
Additional measures such as additional amounts are available
for priority fields*Even larger subsidies for establishing large businesses.
Please inquire for details about subsidies.

Tax system

Largestsubsidy in Kyushu

5 billion yen

Preferential treatment measures such as real estate
acquisition tax and fixed asset tax breaks are available
based on laws such as the Local Revitalization Act andthe Regional Future Investment Promotion Act.
*Please inquire for details about the tax system.

Main status of corporate establishment
1987: Baxter Lmited (US)1997: Boston Scientific Corporation (US)2005: Dell Technologies (US)2005: Solar Frontier (Netherlands)
2020: Global Shares Japan (Ireland)

Inquiries
Business site Promotion Bureau, Commerce, Industry,
Tourism and Labor Department Miyazaki
Prefectural Government
2-10-1 Tachibanadori-higashi, Miyazaki, Miyazaki, 880-8501
Phone: 0985-26-7096
URL: https://www.miyazaki-investment.com/
Navigation system for investing in Japan’s local regions
http://www.jetro.go.jp/invest/region/miyazaki/31

09 | Aid for Investment in Japan

Kagoshima Prefectural Aid for Investment in Japan
Cluster target areas(1) Food industries (2) Electronics industries(3) Automotive industries(4) Environment and new energy industries(5) Healthcare industries(6) Information and communications sector (7) Robotics sector

Subsidies and incentives(1) Business Location Promotion Subsidy for Kagoshima
Partially subsidize cost required to set up an office Target industries: Manufacturing, information and telecommunications,R&D facilities, logistics, other Amount:
1 Less than 1 billion yen of capital investment and at least 11 new
employees
Capital investment amount x 2% + 300,000 yen x number of new
employees
2 Minimum capital investment of 1 billion yen and at least 30 new
employees
Capital investment amount x 6%
 Maximum amount: 1 60 million yen
2 Manufacturing: 1 billion yen, Other: 500 million yen*Requirements and subsidy amounts vary by industry and businesslocation
Please inquire for details.
(2) Capital Investment Promotion Subsidy for Production in Kagoshima
Partially subsidize cost required to expand facilities and/or equipment
and upgrade equipment
 Target companies: Companies with headquarters or parent company
outside of Kagoshima Prefecture (Manufacturing industry) Subsidy amount: Capital investment (minimum 300 million yen) x 2% +Relocation expenses x 50%
 Maximum amount: 300 million yen(3) Subsidy for companies establishing facilities in thearea around the nuclear power station
Companies located in Satsumasendai, where the nuclear power
station is located, Akune, and Ichiki Kushikino (formerly only
Kushikino) are eligible for a subsidy based on the electricity charges
paid.
*Please inquire for details.

Tax system
There are exemptions for business and real estate acquisition
taxes available.
*Please inquire for details.

Recent status of corporate establishment
1992: Molex Japan LLC
2017: Energy Gap Corporation

Inquiries
Industry Establishment Division, Commerce, Industry, Labor andFisheries Department, Kagoshima Prefectural Government
10-1 Kamoike Shinmachi, Kagoshima, Kagoshima, 890-8577
Phone: 099-286-2983
URL: http://www.pref.kagoshima.jp/af03/sangyorodo/kigyo/richiannai/ritti.html
Navigation system for investing in Japan’s local regions
https://www.jetro.go.jp/invest/region/data/kagoshima.html

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09 | Aid for Investment in Japan

Kitakyushu City Aid for Investment in Japan
Cluster target areas
Automotive industries, aircraft industries, information andtelecommunications industry, environment industries, AI
and IoT industries, R&D bases, other

Support program for relocation to Kitakyushu(1) Established the one-stop service center (KTI center)
The City of Kitakyushu, the Kitakyushu Foreign Trade Association,
and JETRO Kitakyushu work together utilizing their uniquestrengths.
(2) Meticulous support to companies
Support for administrative procedures for relocation, follow-up after
relocation, network building, and various seminars(3) Subsidy for promotion of establishment of enterprises

Recent status of corporate establishment
About 50 companies

Companies that have established a base in Kitakyushu encompass
a wide range of industries, including service and manufacturing.

Other• Overseas office: Kitakyushu has set up economic offices in Dalian, China.
• Extensive industrial clusters and sites suitable for factories only found in a city
known for manufacturing.
• High level of business continuity owing to few natural disasters.
• Extensive distribution network.
• Extensive industrial infrastructure, including low-cost industrial water supply.
• Stable supply of industry-ready human resources owing to the many local
science and technology universities and colleges.

Typical incentives

Inquiries

Subsidy for promotion of establishment of enterprises(1) Subsidy for facilities (up to 1 billion yen)
• Capital investment including land cost
2% for large business in the city, 3% for SMEs in the city
• 1/2 of annual rentals of buildings, land, and equipment (for the firstfiscal year only)* Subsidy eligibility for businesses outside of Kitakyushu determinedbased on investment amount and number of hires.
(2) Subsidy for employment (no limit)* Target for subsidy: 300,000 yen per person (150,000 yen per parttime employee)(3) Application
Requirements concerning type of facility, number of hires, and otherfactors apply.
You are required to consult us in advance and submit a businessplan before launching the business.

Startup Promotion Division, City of Kitakyushu(International Business Officer)
AIM bldg. 8th fl., 3-8-1 Asano, Kokurakita-ku, Kitakyushu,
Fukuoka, 802-0001
Phone: 093-551-3605 Fax: 093-551-3615
Invest Kitakyushu: http://www.invest-kitakyushu.com/
KTI Center: http://www.kti-center.jp
Navigation system for investing in Japan’s local regions
http://www.jetro.go.jp/invest/region/kitakyushu-city/33

09 | Aid for Investment in Japan

Fukuoka City Aid for Investment in Japan
Cluster target areas

Subsidies

Knowledge creation industries (software, digital content
development, other)
Health, healthcare, and welfare industries
Environment and energy industries
Global business, foreign financial business, otherFukuoka City Business Establishment Subsidy Program

Support program for relocation to Fukuoka

Relocation support at two
locations in joint publicprivate startup facilities!

◆ Global Startup Centre (GSC)• Business establishment consultations• Startup visa reception• Business matching• Multilingual support (English, Chinese, Spanish)◆ Global Finance Centre (GFC)• One-stop support desk specializing ininternational finance

Rent subsidy

Employment
subsidy

Setup subsidy

1/2 ofrespective
expenses
Up to
Up to
Up to
50 million yen
15 million yen
3 million yen* Office must have total floor space of at least 60 m2 and there
must be 3 or more full-time employees* Please inquire for details about target sector and eligibility
requirements.
1/4 of rent
(1 year)50,000 to 1 million
yen/person (onetime)

Recent status of corporate establishment
Fiscal year

2016

2017

2018

2019

Number of companies

18

13

14

15

Inquiries
Business Attraction Section, Business Startup & Investment Promotion
Department, Economy, Visitor/Tourism & Culture Bureau, Fukuoka City
14F, 1-8-1 Tenjin, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka, Fukuoka, 810-8620
Phone: 092-711-4849 Fax: 092-733-5901
URL: https://www.city.fukuoka.lg.jp/keizai/k-yuchi/business/g01_06.html
Navigation system for investing in Japan’s local regions
https://www.jetro.go.jp/invest/region/data/fukuoka-city/*Contact us to find out more!

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09 | Aid for Investment in Japan

Kumamoto City Aid for Investment in Japan
Cluster target areas
Manufacturing and logistics industries, information andcommunications industries, relocation of headquartersfunction

Support program for relocation to
Kumamoto City
Subsidy for establishment of business in Kumamoto City

Subsidies
Subsidy for promotion of establishment of enterprises
1. Land Acquisition Subsidy
10-15% of land acquisition cost
1/3 to 1/2 of rent (land, buildings) for 12 to 36 months*Excluding deposits and common area fees
2. Capital Investment Subsidy
4-15% of acquired fixed assets amount (buildings anddepreciated assets)
3. Employment Promotion Subsidy
For each new regular employee(1) Full-time: 800,000 to 1.2 million yen per year
(2) Conversion to full-time: 400,000 to 800,000 yen per year(3) Not full-time: 100,000 to 300,000 yen per year

4. Cloud service support subsidy
1/3 of expenses for use of cloud services for 36 months

Recent status of corporate establishment
2014: 1 company (Ireland)

Inquiries
Business Facilities Establishment Promotion Office,Industrial Promotion Section, Finance and Tourism
Bureau, City of Kumamoto
1-1 Tetorihoncho, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto, Kumamoto,
860-8601
Phone: 096-328-2386
URL: https://higo-rich.jp/
Navigation system for investing in Japan’s local regions
http://www.jetro.go.jp/invest/region/kumamoto-city/

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Kyushu Bureau of Economy,
Trade and Industry
International Policy Planning and Research DivisionInternational Affairs Department
2-11-1 Hakataekihigashi ,Hakata-ku Fukuoka 812-8546
TEL:+81-92-482-5428
HP URL https://www.kyushu.meti.go.jp/

Business and Investment Environment in Kyushu- Main Industries 、Economy・Trade Data -2021.3