Business and Investment Environment in Kyushu- Main Industries、Economy・Trade Data -2023.3 updated

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 ofa country----------

2

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

3

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

4

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

5

The trend in the number of foreigners entering into Japan----------

6

Trends in the number of foreign students----------

7

０２ Main Industries

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

22

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

23----------

24

JETRO's Support----------

25

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

26

０８ Government and Aid Organization Initiatives
Economic Exchange Based on MOUs Signed with AsianCountries
０９ Aid for Investment in Japan

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

8

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

27

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

9

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

28

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

29

The World’s Most Advanced University Research Facilities----------

10

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

30

The World’s Most Advanced Research Institutions----------

11

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

31

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

12

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

32

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

13

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

33

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

14

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

34

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

35

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

36

０３ Research Institutions

０４ Business Costs and Living Environment

０５ Attractive Nature and Culture
World Heritage Site in Kyushu①----------

15

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

16

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

17

World Leading Global Company①----------

18

World Leading Global Company②----------

19

World Leading Global Company③----------

20

World Leading Global Company④----------

21

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
8.48 million*, which is ranked second 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 2021, Ministry ofLand, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism

Convenience of Access to Asian Countries
Fukuoka

Tokyo(Narita)

Airport to city center

10minutes

50minutes

Busan (Korea)

50minutes

1hour 50minutes

Seoul (Korea)

1hour 20minutes

2hours 35minutes

Shanghai (China)

1hour 45minutes

3hours 10minutes

Taipei (Taiwan)

2hours 35minutes

3hours 55minutes

Hong Komg

3hours 55minutes

4hours 45minutes

Ho Chi Minh (Viet Nam)

5hours 35minutes

6hours 20minutes

6hours6hours 55minutes

6hours 35minutes

7hours 10minutes

Bangkok (Thailand)
Singapore

Source: JTB Publishing’s JTB Timetable (November 2022)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 12.80 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 48 trillion yen, equivalent to that of Austria which is ranked 29th in the world. With alarge geographical area, rich water resources, and an excellent workforce, semiconductor industry, automobile
industry, and agriculture, forestry and fisheries are the primary industries of Kyushu.
Kyushu’s share of land area, population, and GDP in Japan

Land area

11.2%

Population

10.2%

International comparison of regional GDP(Unit: USD 1 billion)

GDP

8.3%

Source:Area -

Survey of Area by Municipality for all Prefectures,
Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism 2022
Population - Population, Demographics, and Number of Households Basedon Basic Resident Register, Ministry of Internal Affairs andCommunications
Current as of January 1, 2022
GDP Compiled by the Kyushu Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry
from the Cabinet Office’s Fiscal 2019 Prefectural Accounts

Source: World Statistics 2021, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications2

01 | Basic Data on Kyushu

Main Trade Partners◆◆◆◆

The largest trade partner for Kyushu is China, accounting for 26.0% of all exports and 17.8% of all imports.
Next are, S. Korea, the US and Taiwan for exports and Australia, United Arab Emirates and the US for imports.
Transportation equipment, general machinery, and electrical machinery are exported from Kyushu.
Electrical equipment and mineral fuels are imported to Kyushu.
Main exporting countries and regions from Kyushu(Unit: 100 million yen, %)Main importing countries and regions to Kyushu(Unit: 100 million yen, %)3

01 | Basic Data on Kyushu

Trade Trends by Product Category◆ Major export items, in decreasing order of export value, are motor vehicles, semiconductors, flat-rolled steel products,
ships and boats and rubber tires and tubes. These five items account for more than half of the total.
◆ Major import items are, in decreasing order of import value, petroleum and crude oil, coal, nonferrous metallic ore, ironore, semiconductors and petroleum gas. Most imports are mineral fuels.

Export items in global trade for Kyushu

Import items in global trade for Kyushu(Unit: 100 million yen, %)Source: Compiled by the Kyushu Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry from the Ministry of Finance’s Trade Statistics(Unit: 100 million yen, %)4

01 | Basic Data on Kyushu

Advanced traffic infrastructure

Kyushu’s Expressway, Shinkansen line, and International Container Route (as of November 2022)◆ 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 to the south of Kyushu. In
addition, with the opening of the West
Kyushu Shinkansen in September
2022, travel between Hakata andNagasaki can be completed in as little
as 80 minutes.

LegendArterial high-standard
highways (in service)
Arterial high-standard
highways(project/plan)
Urban expressways
Shinkansen lines
Main airports
Key ports

Sources: Kyushu District Transport Bureau, Kyushu Regional Development Bureau,
websites of each port. ※flights are suspended.
[China in the above figure refers to mainland China for convenience sake.]◆ 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 for theregion.
◆ 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.

5

０１｜Basic Data on Kyushu
The trends in the number of foreign nationals entering Japan◆The number of foreign nationals entering Kyushu was over 5millions in 2018, decreased to only 6thousands
sharply in 2021.
◆The nationalities are, in decreasing order of the number, Korea（1,503, 24.6% of all）、Vietnam（1,486, 24.3% ofall） and Philippines（1,100, 18.4% of all）.
The trends in the number of foreign nationals entering Kyushu

foreign nationals entering Kyushu and Japan total
Kyushu2021

percentage of growth
all Kyushu

rate

%

%

percentage of2020of allJapan total

2,021

percentage
of a lKyushugrowth2,020

percenta
ge of all

rate

%

total

6,119

100.0

▲ 98.5

1.7

404,824100.0

353,119100.0▲ 92.04,427,217

100.0

Asia

5,548

90.7

▲ 98.62.5

389,260

96.2

224,940

63.7▲ 93.83,640,870

82.2

Korea

1,503

24.6

▲ 98.94.2

141,343

34.9

36,171

10.2▲ 93.4545,822

12.3

China

279

4.6

▲ 99.70.4

101,338

25.0

64,761

18.3▲ 94.5

1,167,000

26.4

Taiwan360

5.9▲ 99.4

4.2

58,218

14.4

8,606

2.4

▲ 98.8709,461

16.0

0.0 ▲ 100.0

0.1

47,233

11.7

1,476

0.4

▲ 99.5

327,472

7.4

HongKong

2

Vietnam

1,486

24.3

▲ 85.6

5.4

10,2992.5

27,7477.9▲ 82.6

159,834

3.6

Thailand113

1.8▲ 98.4

2.0

7,260

1.8

5,670

1.6

▲ 97.5

228,792

5.2

Singapore24

0.4▲ 98.9

2.2

2,241

0.6

1,107

0.3

▲ 98.055,987

1.3

Malaysia

20

0.3▲ 99.7

0.9

5,768

1.4

2,121

0.6

▲ 97.378,0891.8

Philippines

1,128

18.4

▲ 87.1

5.6

8,777

2.2

20,2755.7▲ 87.2

158,430

3.6

Indonesia

155

2.5

▲ 90.1

2.4

1,566

0.4

6,543

1.9

▲ 91.980,425

1.8

Myanmar140

2.3▲ 78.0

7.4

635

0.2

1,882

0.5

▲ 84.5

12,159

0.3

3

0.0

▲ 99.3

0.0

410

0.1

11,0603.1▲ 62.929,846

0.7

335

5.5

▲ 92.0

0.9

4,172

1.0

37,521

10.6▲ 57.187,5532.0

Europe314

5.1▲ 95.3

0.5

6,615

1.6

61,60917.4▲ 77.4273,130

6.2

U.K.

31

0.5

▲ 97.9

0.4

1,480

0.4

8,537

2.4

▲ 84.254,096

1.2

France16

0.3▲ 96.7

0.2

479

0.1

8,468

2.4

▲ 81.245,1331.0

Germany

10

0.2▲ 97.1

0.2

347

0.1

5,993

1.7

▲ 80.530,777

0.7

Italy

4

0.1

▲ 97.4

0.1

156

0.0

4,152

1.2

▲ 71.5

14,552

0.3

Netherlands

60.1▲ 96.4

0.3

167

0.0

1,993

0.6

▲ 77.08,679

0.2

Other Europe

247

4.0

▲ 93.8

0.8

3,986

1.0

32,466

9.2▲ 72.9

119,893

2.7

8

0.1

▲ 94.2

0.1

137

0.0

9,222

2.6

▲ 9.8

10,221

0.2

94

1.5

▲ 98.6

0.3

6,551

1.6

34,8389.9▲ 88.3298,921

6.8

U.S A.

82

1.3▲ 98.2

0.3

4,567

1.1

27,2887.7▲ 88.2

230,6115.2

other north America

12

0.2

▲ 99.4

0.2

1,984

0.5

7,550

2.1

▲ 88.968,310

1.5

5

0.1

▲ 97.6

0.0

211

0.1

16,772

4.7▲ 58.7

40,625

0.9

149

2.4

▲ 92.7

2.6

2,040

0.5

5,700

1.6

▲ 96.5

163,301

3.7

Australia

66

1.1▲ 96.1

1.7

1,680

0.4

3,809

1.1

▲ 97.4

145,715

3.3

other Oceania

83

1.4

▲ 76.9

4.4

360

0.1

1,891

0.5

▲ 89.2

17,586

0.4

1

0.0

▲ 90.0

2.6

10

0.0

38

0.0

▲ 74.5

149

0.0

India
Other Asia

The ratio of nationalities of foreign nationals entering
Kyushu and Japan

Total
percentage

AfricaNorth

AmericaSouth America
Oceania

Statelesssource：:compiled by the Kyushu Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry from the Statistics of Ministry of Justice６

０１｜Basic Data on Kyushu
The trends in the number of foreign students◆The number of foreign students of all Japan in 2021 was 242,444, and the number of foreign
students of Kyushu was 24,580（14.4%decrease from the previous year, 10.1 of all Japan）.
◆The ratio of foreign students from Asia was 95.7% of all.（95.1% of all Japan）。
◆Major nations, in decreasing order of the number, are China (6,751, 27.5% of all）, Vietnam,
Nepal, Korea.

The trends in the number of foreign students in Kyushu

The ratio of nationalities of foreign students in Kyushu
and all Japan※The foreign students are students who get education at educational
facilities such as universities, junior college, technical college and at
Japanese language school.

Source：compiled by the Kyushu Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry from the report of Japan Student Services Organization, 2021

7

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 2021) 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 773 billion yen in semiconductor production value, a roughly 41%
share of the national total, and over 1,000 semiconductor companies areconcentrated in the region. (2021)(Some of the major companies: Sony Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation, Renesas Electronics Corporation, Mitsubishi Electric Corporation)8

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)9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.

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

Si icon 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
10 kW × 2 units
Sumitomo E ectricIndustries, 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 Miyazaki

10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

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.

NElectronElectron orbit

S
Synchrotron light

Specimen

Exposure Development
complete

Source: Kyushu Synchrotron Light Research Center

Ni plating

Source: Hydrogen Energy Test and Research Center (HyTReC)

11

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

Source: Statistical Survey on Retail Prices, Statistics Bureau, Ministry of Internal
Affairs and Communications

Source: Basic Survey on Wage Structure (2020), Wage and Labour Welfare Statistics
Office, Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare

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

Source: Compiled by the Kyushu Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry based on
Result on an Annual Survey of International Students in Japan (2021), Japan Student
Services Organization12

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 Kumamoto international school(KIS) elementary schooland Infant school 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 170 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: 40, Saga: 5, Nagasaki: 17, Kumamoto: 35, Oita: 14,
Miyazaki: 9, Kagoshima: 50* 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 School13

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 five years running among
private universities in western 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

14

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 cedar15

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 Revolution16

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 Revolution17

06 | Global Companies

World Leading Global 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 Valve18

06 | Global Companies

World Leading Global 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

19

06 | Global Companies

World Leading Global 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.

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

Fluorspar used as theraw ingredient andfluororesin products

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 construction20

06 | Global Companies

World Leading Global 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)21

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

22

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

23

08 | Government and Aid Organization Initiatives

Economic Exchange Based on MOUs Signed with Asian Countries◆ Kyushu Economy International is a 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 signed 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 signed by the Kyushu Economy
International(with government organizations)FranceNationwide

Priority fields: Biotechnology

South
Korea

China

KyushuShanghai
India

MyanmarHong Kong

TaiwanPhilippines

Thailand
Vietnam
Malaysia
Singapore

Indonesia

Counterpart

Vietnam

Planning and Investment Ministry

Indonesia

Investment Coordinating Board of the
Republic of Indonesia

ThailandThe Board of Investment of Thailand

Malaysia

Malaysian Investment Development
Au hority

Philippines

Republic of the Philippines Board of
Investment

MOUs signed 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 signed 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 Association24

09 | Aid for Investment in Japan

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 15 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 is J-Bridge?
Target companies Target countries
and regions

What J-Bridge can doPriority fields⚫ Mobility
Step 1: To all⚫ HealthTech
Japanese companies,
companies
universities, and⚫ Life science⚫ South East
interested
inresearch institutions⚫ Agri-tech
Asia
digitalcollaboration
andseeking to develop⚫ Retail Techalliances with⚫ Indiabusiness or create⚫ Smart city
overseas⚫ United States
new businesses
businesses⚫
FinTechthrough⚫ Europe⚫ Robotics
alliances(Business⚫ Australia
alliances, technical⚫ Information⚫ Israeltie-ups, investments,
Security,etc
Step 2: To all
and joint ventures) or ⚫ Africa
companies
who want to⚫ renewable⚫ Japan
M&A with overseas
proceedwithconcreteenergygreen
companies
collaboration and⚫ energy-saving
alliances⚫ Storage batteries
and batteries*Registration (free of charge) is required to use the service.
⚫
Hydrogen*Agency and sales contracts and procurement contracts for he
Step 3: To all⚫
smart
purpose of expanding sales channels are not eligible.
companies
with*The company provides services mainly in Singapore, Indonesia,
infrastructure
collaboration or allianceand Vietnam in Southeast Asia, the U.K. and Germany in Europe,⚫ Greening andand Nigeria and Kenya in Africa.
partners who want toEnvironmental
test effectivenessInquiries: JETRO DX Promotion Team
Conservation
E-mail: DXPT@jetro.go.jp
Technologies
Sources: Japan External Trade Organization website

Service

Main service components

DX Portal
Event
Member services
Dedicatedforum formembers

Meet upEscortprogramTest
supportprogram• Receive market and company
information on the dedicated
DX Portal website• Browse online/offline events*
linked to collaboration andalliances*Webinars, pitch events, businessmeetings, other• See a list of promisingoverseas companies(information about individualcompanies)• Connect with other members• Speak and participate inpitch events• Business matching withpromising companies• Sourcing support• Spot advisory
service(permanent)• Reverse pitch• Integrated support program• Receive subsidy for
performing PoC in digital fields
in Asia26

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,
storage battery, data center, other

FY 2003 to FY 2021

254 companies in total

Change in the number of companies invited

Subsidy program (subsidies)
Fukuoka Prefectural Subsidy for Promotion of Corporate
LocationTarget industries:• Manufacturing and business facilities of the following
sectors
Manufacturing, data center, 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.

By country• North America: 34 companies (US: 31, Canada: 3)• Europe: 45 companies (Germany: 11, UK: 8, Switzerland: 4,
France: 4, Italy: 3, other: 14)• Asia and other areas: 175 companies (China: 93, S. Korea: 40,
Taiwan: 13, India: 4, Singapore: 7, Australia: 2, other: 16)

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/

27

09 | Investment Support in Japan

Support for Investment in Saga Prefecture, Japan
Areas to Accumulate

Tax Incentives
Saga Prefecture Business Location Promotion Special Zone System in(11 Designated Municipalities)● Digital Field● Green Field● Health Care Field(Cosmetic Field)

Saga City, Karatsu City, Taku City, Takeo City, Kashima City, Ogi City,
Kanzaki City, Yoshinogari Town, Arita Town, Miyaki Town, Kiyama
Town○ Saga Prefecture (Selection System with Saga Prefecture Factory Location
Promotion Subsidies)

Subsidies

A. Corporate business tax 5 years exemption and 5 years reduction (*)
B. Real Estate Acquisition Tax Exemption○ Saga Prefecture
Saga Prefecture Factory Location Promotion Subsidies* For Manufacturing Industry○ Municipalities in the Prefecture (11 Designated Municipalities Only)
Fixed property tax 5 years exemption and 5 years reduction (*), etc.
(*) 5 years tax exemption + 5 years 1/2 tax exemption

A. Location promotion incentive (maximum: ¥5 billion)
Investment amount × 2% × Addition (* Maximum 12 times)
B. Employment promotion incentive (Maximum Amount: None)
Number of new local employees × ¥500,000 to ¥1 million

Cosmetic Concept* Subsidies are also available for non-manufacturing industries.

With the cooperation partnership agreement with the Cosmetic
Valley in France, we aim to gather the accumulate the industry
related to beauty and health and become a source of natural raw
materials related to cosmetics.

○ Municipalities
Subsidy system is available in each municipality

Low numberofearthquakes

Nankai troughtsunamidamageassumed to beContact Information

Status of Advancement into the Area

SAGA

Business Location Division, Department of Industry and Labor,
Saga Prefecture

Amazon Japan LLC (USA) (Tosu City),
and others

Low numberof natural
disasters

1-1-59 Jonai, Saga City, Saga Prefecture 840-8570
Tel.: +81-(0)952-25-7097
URL: https://www.saga-kigyorichi.jp/
28

09 | Investment Support in Japan

Support for Investment in Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan
Business Subsidy for Attracting
Office Companies

Areas to Accumulate

Maximum amount ¥300 million

1. Communication expenses x 50% (3 years)[Manufacturing Industry]

2. Office lease expenses x 50% (3 years)(1) Aircraft related(2) Semiconductor related (including manufacturing equipment)(3) Medical-related (pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and the like)(4) Robotics and IoT (including industrial machinery and electronic components)

3. New employees x ¥300,000 (3 years)* ¥700,000 will be added for highly specialized workers
4. Capital investment expenses x 10% (3 years)○ In addition, support for securing highly skilled human resources.

(5) Next-generation Automobile related(6) Batteries (storage battery, materials)

Status of Advancement into the Area in Recent Years[Offices](1) BPO service related

Nagasaki Prefecture is home to offices of foreign companies such as MetLife(2) Financial and insurance relatedInc., Zurich Insurance Group, the AIG Group, and Chubb Insurance. Also, in(3) Research and development bases for system development, design, and others

the manufacturing industry, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Sony, Canon, Ariake(4) Digital content related

Japan and other leading companies in Japan are located here.

Subsidies
Subsidies for Attracting Location ofCompanies' Factories, etc.

Maximum amount ¥3 billion

1. Capital Investment Subsidies
3% to 20% of invested fixed assets (land, buildings, capital investments)
2. Employment Promotion Subsidies

Contact Information
Nagasaki Industrial Promotion Foundation
2-11 Dejima-Cho, Nagasaki City, Nagasaki Prefecture 850-0862
Tel:+81-(0)95-820-8890• Number of new employees x ¥500,000

Fax:+81-(0)95-827-5243• Number of new graduates and U/I-turner x ¥1 million

URL: https://www. joho-nagasaki.or.jp/ business/○ In addition, support for the promotion of local business orders, support for theacquisition of highly skilled human resources, and tax incentives

investact-guide/29

©2010 Kumamoto
Prefecture Kumamon

09 | Aid for Investment in Japan

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.
*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),
2022:MA-tek(Taiwan)
November 2021: it was decided TSMC(Taiwan) expand into Kumamoto.
Subsidiary Japan Advanced Semiconductor Manufacturing is expected to be
operational by the end of 2024.

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/30

09 | Aid for Investment in Japan

Oita Prefectural Aid for Investment in Japan

Cluster target areas

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

Subsidies and incentives
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
Subsidy for promoting establishment of office business in Oita Prefecture
Target companies: Information industries, BPO, call centers
Requirements:
Information industries:5 or more new employees.
BPO, call centers: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 10%+ Office rent x 1/3 (for 3 years)+ Dedicated communication line using fee x 1/2 (for 3 years) etc.
Maximum amount: 100 million yen (information industries)
280 million yen (BPO, call center industries)

Tax system
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.

Recent status of corporate establishment
Change in the number of companies invited

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/31

09 | Aid for Investment in Japan

Miyazaki Prefectural Aid for Investment in Japan
Cluster target areas (priority industry 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 industry fields
Maximum amount:5billion yen*Even larger subsidies for establishing large businesses.
Please inquire for details about subsidies.

Tax system
Preferential treatment measures such as business tax,
real estate acquisition tax and fixed asset tax breaks areavailable based on laws such as the Local Revitalization
Act and the 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)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/32

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
Main Incentives of new establishment of information andtelecommunications industry
New employees : At least 5 new employees
Subsidy amount : Capital investment amount x 10%
2 Large-scale 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

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

Recent status of corporate establishment
Molex Japan LLC（U.S.A.）
Kagoshima Okishiton(France)
BASF Japan (Germany)

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

33

09 | Support for Investment in Japan

Kitakyushu City support for investment in Japan
Fields for further integration
IoT industry, environment and energy industries, etc.

Kitakyushu promotion support systems
KTI Center(Kitakyushu Trade &Investment Center)
Collaborative support by Kitakyushu
City and JETRO
Start-up visas(National strategic special zone)
City support for visa applications
and procedures
COMPASS Kokura
Provision of small offices and coworking spaces
Provision of acceleration
programs

Support systems
Trial satellite offices

Officeestablishment
promotion subsidies
Innovation trial
programs

Workspace usage fees
Maximum of 1,500 JPY per day(Up to a maximum of 30 days per individual)

Progress in recent years
Approximately 50 companies
Establishment of a wide variety of business locations including
businesses in the service industry, manufacturing industry, and awide range of other industries.

Kitakyushu City strengths
・Concentration of manufacturing businesses including steel industry,
automotive industry, robot industry, and other industry businesses.
・Support for research and development projects at Kitakyushu Science andResearch Park and for open innovation with local businesses
・Selected by the Cabinet Office as a “Startup Ecosystem Base City” in 2020.
・The city was the first city in Asia selected by OECD as a “Global model city
for promotion of SDGs” in 2018. In addition to a concentration of recycling
industry businesses, centering around the Eco-town Project, the city also
aims to become a comprehensive stronghold for wind power generation
related businesses.

Inquiries
Kitakyushu City Startup Promotion Section(International Business Supervisor)
8th Floor, Aim Building, 3-8-1 Asano, Kokurakita Ward, Kitakyushu City,
Fukuoka Prefecture, 802-0001
TEL: 093-551-3605 FAX: 093-551-3615
Invest Kitakyushu: https://www.kti-center.jp/invest-kitakyushu/
KTI Center: http://www.kti-center.jp½ of annual building rental costs (3 years)[Maximum of 15 million JPY]
Subsidies for a portion of verification costs for
proof-of-concept tests within Kitakyushu City

KTI
CenterInvestKitakyushu

Kitakyushu City
Introduction
Video

34

09 | Aid for Investment in Japan

Fukuoka
City
Aid
for
Investment
inJapan
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, other
Headquarter function
call center

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 financeFukuoka City Business Establishment Subsidy Program
Employment
subsidy

Rent 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 m 2 andthere must be 3 or more full-time employees• The program was expanded for large office and head office
function in October 2022.
* Please inquire for details about target sector and eligibility
requirements.
50,000 to 1 million
yen/person (onetime)

1/4 of rent
(1 year)

Recent status of corporate establishment
Fiscal year
Number ofcompanies

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

13

14

15

12

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!

35

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)
2021: 1 company (Taiwan)
2022: 1 company (Taiwan)

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/36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 -2023.3