Profile of Kitakyushu City➢

An ordinance-designated city located at the northernmost tip of Kyushu➢

Taking advantage of its proximity to Asian countries, Kitakyushu City has
supported Japanese manufacturing as one of Japan's four major industrial
zones since the Meiji era (1868-1912), when the government-run Yahata SteelWorks was established.

➢Kitakyushu boasts a world-class environment, a concentration of industrial
technologies, and an extensive transportation infrastructure with airports, ports,and bullet trains, all set against a backdrop of abundant nature with a long andbeautiful coastline and lush mountains.

7 wards each filled with character

Kokura Castle, with its
kara-zukuri castle tower
Wakato Bridge connects
Wakamatsu and Tobata

Mojiko Retro District, withmany Taisho-era buildings

Wakamatsu Tobata

Tobata Gion Oyamakasa
Festival (UNESCO Intangible
Cultural Heritage)

MojiKokurakita
Yahatahigashi
Yahatanishi
Kokuraminami

Attractive night view offactories in the Kurosaki area

Population 920,070 (as of Mar. 1, 2023)*Facility not open to the public.
Photo: Nippon Steel Corp, Kyushu Steel WorksArea

492.50 km² (as of Jan. 1, 2022)

Former main office of thegovernment-run Yawata SteelWorks, which is registered as a
World Cultural Heritage Site

The karst plateau of Hiraodai

1Kitakyushu City's Potential➢ Kitakyushu balances the conveniences of a city with the comforts of the countryside and is highly regarded throughout Japan as a"great place to live," ranking third in the "best rural areas to live in (for families with children and senior citizens)".
➢ The national government has named Kitakyushu a "Municipal SDGs Model Project" and the OECD has named it a "Global Model
City for Promoting the SDGs," demonstrating how highly regarded its SDG initiatives are both in Japan and internationally.

➢ Kitakyushu is a center of the manufacturing industry that produces a large number of scientists and engineers each year.
➢ Kitakyushu also has a robust logistics infrastructure that includes a 24-hour marine airport and a city-wide transportation network.

Container
cargo handled
6th in Japan

Land(Kyushu, KitaKyushu,Chugoku-do)(2020)
Kitakyushu Freight
Terminal

Kokurahigashi
ICContainer
cargo handled
9th in JapanSeaFerry
cargo handled
2nd in Japan(2021)
Tachinoura Container
Terminal

14 science and technology schools produce
approximately 3,000 human resources
every year

Highway

Nodal point(2021)
Shinmoji Ferry
Terminal

Internationalcargo handled
6th in Japan

Utilized

24 hours aAirday(2021)

Kitakyushu
Airport2

The Kitakyushu National Strategic Special Zone
➢ Since its designation as a National Strategic Special Zone in 2016, Kitakyushu City has been promoting the establishment of fourhubs around the theme of "responding to the declining and aging population by realizing comprehensive senior activities and careservices."
PurposeThe Kitakyushu National Strategic Special Zone promotes the establishment of four hubs centered around the theme of responding to the declining
and aging population by realizing comprehensive senior activities and care services, thereby enabling Kitakyushu to serve as a growth engine aimed
at becoming a successful model city for regional development.

Establishment of Four Hubs
A "hub for advanced nursing care and senior activities"

A "hub for domestic and international exchange and inbound tourism"

Kitakyushu aims to be a hub for advanced nursing care and senioractivities through a variety of measures, such as the establishmentof a Senior Hello Work (government employment center), the use ofnursing care robots to reduce the burden on nursing care staff, andthe advancement and development of robots.

Kitakyushu aims to be a hub for domestic and international

A "hub for start-ups and job creation"

A "hub for developing and demonstrating near-future technologies"

exchange and inbound tourism, such as through measures related
to its Special Zone Private Lodging status that leverage its richnatural environment.

Kitakyushu aims to be a hub for start-ups and job creation throughWith the "One Stop Support Center for Demonstration Tests" at its

measures that include the use of start-up visas to support foreigncore, Kitakyushu aims to be a hub for developing andentrepreneurs and the flexible movement of human resources

demonstrating near-future technologies that will help solve regional

between the public and private sectors.

issues and strengthen industrial competitiveness.

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Major Initiatives in the Kitakyushu National Strategic Special Zone
➢While implementing regulatory reforms, 18 special exceptions and 25 projects are underway. (As of the end of August 2020)
A "hub for advanced nursing care and senior activities"
Demonstration testing and deployment of advanced nursing careusing nursing care robots
The first in Japan to utilize
Special Zone status!

Advancing the development anddeployment of nursing care robots.

Establishment of a Senior Hello Work center
The first in Japan to utilize
Special Zone status!

A "hub for domestic and international exchange and inbound tourism"
Opening of area management to theprivate sector
Creating a vibrant community atmosphere throughopen cafes, etc. on the streets.

Special Zone Private Lodging in rural areas
Support for job seekers over the age of 50.

A "hub for start-ups and job creation"
Projects for Encouraging Foreign Entrepreneurs to Start Business (Startup Visa)
To facilitate the launch of new businesses, the requirements for foreigners to start a business(capital, number of employees, and place of business) were suspended for six months, andcoworking offices, etc., were recognized as places of business for up to one year.

Job-searching support for international graduates from overseas universities
The first in Japan to utilize Special Zone status!

Special Zone Private Lodging themed on "interactionwith community residents".

Production of specified alcoholic beverages: A unique wine region featuring theenticing aroma of sea air and the elevated plateau
Application of special measures to meet minimum production quantity standards(fruit wine). 6kℓ → 2kℓ→ Kitakyushu (Wakamatsu) wine sales peaked in June 2018
→ Kitakyushu (Hiraodai) wine sales in April 2021

Relaxation of regulations related to airport
access buses
To ensure the fast and flexible operation of
temporary buses, the operating plan submission
deadline was reduced (30 days ⇒7 days prior).

Provides support to international graduates from overseas universities who have come to Japan tofind work after they graduate from Japanese language school.

One-Stop Entrepreneur Center/Employment and Labor Consultation Center

A "hub for developing and demonstrating near-future technologies"

Provides a one-stop solution for procedures needed when opening a business, including online
applications and consultation on registration, taxation, pensions, social insurance, etc.
Primarily for start-up companies, it also provides employers and employees with consultation froma lawyer or other professional.

Rapid issuance of licenses under the Radio Law
for specified experimental test stations

Human Resources Matching Support Center/Telework Center
A private innovation facility, scheduled to open this fall, will have a counter that will help match
entrepreneurs with human resources from the private and public sectors who have specialized
knowledge and skills, and the counter will also provide consultation and information on teleworking.

Enabled the rapid issuance of licenses to conduct
demonstration tests using radio waves.
Kitakyushu One Stop Support Center for Demonstration Tests

One-stop support for private businesses and research institutes to facilitate demonstration
testing for automated driving, small unmanned vehicles, and radio wave use.

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Entrepreneurial Incentives for Foreigners (“Startup Visa”)••

The City of Kitakyushu established the “Kitakyushu Startup Network” as part of citywide efforts to support business startups.
The network provides opportunities for professionals who have set up a business and people looking to open their own
business to interact with those who have the resources and expertise to support them.
With interest from overseas rising year after year, Kitakyushu has simplified the process for foreign nationals to set up
businesses in the city, a move that also allows them to take advantage of the deep pool of wisdom outside Japan.
2. With exemptions to the Immigration Controland Refugee Recognition Act

1. Under the existing system

Special zone

A foreign national must fulfill thefollowing conditions to set up abusiness in Japan:(1) Secure business premisesAND(2) Possess at least JPY 5 million incapital
OR
Employ at least 2 full-time staff

Kitakyushu reviews businessstartup activity plan

(Details on special provisions)
A six-month preparation stage helps simplify
the process for setting up a business!

The Startup Visa program makes it easier for foreign nationals to set up businesses in Kitakyushu AND promotes
synergy between Japanese and foreign business leaders (e.g., in terms of expanding operations overseas)!

Startup Visa Program in Kitakyushu’s National Strategic Special Zone
(Special provisions for securing office space for startup professionals)
Issue

Specialprovisions

In order to set up a business in Japan, foreign nationals must secure a place of business to meetrequirements for the residence status of “Business Manager”. However, high rents can make it difficult toquickly secure office space.
Coworking spaces and shared offices are recognized as places of business for a maximum period of oneyear for foreign nationals utilizing the special provisions available under the Startup Visa program in
National Strategic Special Zones.

Internationalstudents

Kitakyushu reviews
business startup activities

Foreignentrepreneurs

Startup activities

Continue startup activities!

6 months

Max. 1 year

[In use]Special provisions underStartup Visa program[Application for certification]
Special provisions for securing office space forstartup professionals* Relaxes requirement 2 when conditions forrequirement 1 are met(Status of residence: Business Manager)* Defers requirements 1 and 2(Status of residence: Business Manager)

Business inoperation* Must meetrequirements
1 and 2
Status of residence:

Business Manager* Requirements for status of residence of “Business Manager”: [Requirement 1] Two or more full-time staff or at least JPY 5 million in capital AND[Requirement 2] Secure business premises

Continued and expanded use of the city’s National Strategic Special Zone boosts the momentum for Kitakyushu’s vision of creating a“Startup Ecosystem Hub”! (designated by the national government)
Strategy for the creation of aworld-class startup ecosystem hub

Startup Ecosystem
Hub City

・Startup SDGs Innovation Trial program
・Complimentary support through the Global Acceleration program
・IoT Maker’s Project×

・One-stop center for business startups
・Employment and labor consultation center
・One-stop support center for testing advanced industrial technologies
・Special provisions under the Immigration Control Act related toaccepting startup professionals (Startup Visa program)・Special provisions for securing office space for startup professionals

Kitakyushu One-Stop Center for Business Startups
Introducing a one-stop support system in cooperation with the national government to simplify the online
application process for setting up a business, boosting momentum for the creation of Japan’s friendliest
city for entrepreneurs!

COMPASS Kokura

Business startup procedures(Business setup support facility in Kitakyushu)

Ministry of Justice

Kitakyushu One-Stop Center for
Business Startups

Certify articles of incorporation, register incorporation

National Tax Agency(Cabinet Office, Ministry of Justice, National Tax Agency,
Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, Kitakyushu City)■Assistance in preparing applications■Support with online application process■Consultation services on opening a business■Communication and coordination withgovernment ministries and agencies■Organizing seminars and other events

Corporate tax, income tax, otherConsultingand online
application
services

Ministry of Health, Labourand Welfare of Japan
Health insurance, employee pension and insurance,
unemployment insurance, labor insurance, labormanagement agreements, other

Local taxes
Special counselor on
administrative procedures

Business
entrepreneur

Corporate residence tax, corporate enterprise tax, otherOverview of the Super City Initiative
The aim is for residents to, one step at a time, promote the realization of the future society they want to see, to be realized around 2030.
[Points]① Providing cutting-edge services in multiple fields, aimed at all aspects of life
Utilizing cutting-edge technologies such as AI and big data, we will improve convenience in a wide range of fields such as government
administration, transportation, medical care, and education.
② Linking of data between multiple fields
In order to realize cutting-edge services in multiple fields, various data will be linked and shared through the "Data Linkage Platform."③ Bold regulatory reform
Simultaneously, systematically, and comprehensively promote regulatory reform to realize cutting-edge services.
Structure of a Super City
Government

Cutting-edge
services

Administration

Municipality

Transport

Local residents

NPOs

Logistics

Tourism

Medicine
Nursing

Universities

Education

Companies

Disasterprevention

EnergyEnvironment

Tourists

Payments

OpenAPI (*1)

DataLinkage
Platform

Data Linkage Platform
In order to promote cutting-edge services, necessary data is shared and linked through the platform
OpenAPI (*1)

Dataproviders

Geographic + spatial data

Unique data

City shared infrastructureData holders(*1) API: Application Programming Interface – Connection specification for exchanging data & commands between different software
8Kitakyushu City/Higashida "Super City for SDGs" Concept➢Utilizing the city's history of supporting demonstration testing and expertise in regulatory reform, Kitakyushu has applied to the national government's Super City
Initiative with the Higashida district as the future "Super City for SDGs," and appealing to the program with its ability to accelerate SDGs through a virtuous cycle ofenvironment, economy, and society, inability to realize a decarbonized society.

A city aiming to achieve a decarbonizedsociety through a virtuous cycle of theenvironment and the economy
Environmental infrastructure● Natural gas cogeneration plant

A city that can solve local problems
while promoting and developing new
cutting-edge businesses

A city in which everyone, regardless of age ordisability, can play an active role

Major cutting-edge services(Overall: a total of 31 projects in collaboration with 82 businesses)
Direct tradingof renewableelectricity

Smartgarbagecollection

Cylindricalsolar power

Future waterbased batteries

CO₂-freehydrogen

Hydrogen pipeline

H2
Solar power in the district: Approx. 1,600 KW

Walking aids
for the visually
impaired

Self-driving
wheelchairs

Crowdvisualization

Smartmask

Digital infrastructure
Real space

Smart busstops

Hello

Virtual space(3D map)
Data from IoT

Hellosensors○ Ultra fast
○ Ultra low latency○ Multiple simultaneous connections

On-demand
EV buses

Self-driving
mobility

Autonomous
flying drones

AutomaticdeliveryrobotsInfrastructure
inspection
robotsFeedback fromAI analyses
Source: @ZENRIN @Geographical Institute tile data9Higashida Future City Project➢The city launched a new "Higashida Future City Project" in August 2022 to expand and promote the Super City Initiative on its own.

➢Regulatory reform proposals were re-proposed in October 2022 under the regular National Strategic Special Zone scheme. Negotiations are now
underway with several parties.
<Appealing Demonstration Fields>
Self-driving
vehicleWalking aidrobot(level 4)

Deliveryrobot

Flying car

EV busSmart bus stop

◆ The concentration of various demonstration testing fields, including
major shopping malls and shopping arcades◆ Availability of an extensive digital infrastructure, including 5G and
3D maps◆ Develops advanced decarbonization demonstration projects,
including a hydrogen town

Smart garbage
collection

Hydrogenstation

Hydrogen station

Green slowmobility

JR Space World Station

Smart stadium

Edamitsu Honmachi
Shopping District

On-demandcommunitybusPowered by 100%
renewable energy

Self-driving
personal
mobility
Dronedelivery

Yahata Chuo
Shopping District

Renewable-powered local
production for local consumption

Strong support through aconsortium of industryacademia-government-private
collaboration!

○ One-stop support for demonstration testing fields, licenses, etc.
○ Support for obtaining national and municipal subsidies, etc.
○ Support for regulatory reform using its status as a National Strategic Special Zone
○ Support for business collaboration, public relations, etc.
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Higashida Future City Project
New demonstration and implementation projects have begun under the Higashida Future City Project! (August 2022)
Project Promotion Structure

Future Vision

Strong support through a consortium of industry-academia-government-private
collaboration✓ One-stop support for field provision, licenses, etc.
✓ Support for obtaining national and municipal subsidies, etc.
✓ Support for regulatory reform using its status as a National Strategic Special Zone
✓ Support for business collaboration, public relations, etc.

Achievements in cutting-edge technology demonstrations, etc.
Bus issue demonstration testing using people traffic flow
sensors, GPS, and proprietary analysis

Self-driving
vehicleWalking aidrobot(level 4)

Deliveryrobot

Flying car

EV busSmart bus stop
Smart garbage
collection

Hydrogenstation

First inJapan

Green slow
mobility

Smart stadium
On-demand
communitybus

Powered by 100%
renewable energy

Self-driving
personalmobility
Drone
delivery

Workation

Crowd sensing at amuseum complex

Renewable-powered local
production for local consumption

Micromobility

Programming
experience event

Higashida Area

Higashida Area Features✓ A wide range of demonstration fields, including
shopping malls and museums✓ Extensive digital infrastructure, including 5G and 3Dmaps✓ Develops advanced decarbonization demonstration
projects, including a hydrogen town

Aiming to accelerate the SDGs by leveraging cutting-edge technologies to achieve a virtuous cycle of environment, economy, and society
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