Investing in Japan

Fukui

The information below is as of March 2011.

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• Basic Information
• Regional Profile
• Services for investment in Japan
• Available incentives
• Links to Related Websites

Basic Information

Population*1	0.81 million
Labor force*1	0.44 million
Area*2	4,190 km²
GDP*3	7,325,785 million yen
Major industries	Electronics and devices, chemistry, textiles, plastics, electrical machinery
Developing industries	Electronics and devices, general machinery, transportation machinery
Offices overseas	Hong Kong / Shanghai, China
Offices in Japan	Tokyo / Osaka
JETRO office	JETRO Fukui

*1 Population Census 2010, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications　*2 Area data 2010, Geospatial Information Authority of Japan *3 Prefectural Citizens' Economic Accounts 2008, Cabinet Office

*Ask the local government for the latest data.

Regional Profile

Strength of the region's industries and economy

The long history and rich cultural heritage of Fukui Prefecture has produced a number of traditional crafts. Currently, Fukui boasts six nationally designated production centers for five areas of traditional craftwork: lacquerware, Japanese-style paper, agate working, blade-making, and pottery. Other famous local industries in Fukui include textiles (Fukui was known as the “Rayon Kingdom” during the start of the Showa era) and a lens-crafting industry that ranks among the best in the world. In addition, electronic product, device and electrical machinery manufacturing is another key industry in Fukui, constituting approximately 25% of the total value of industrial shipments for the prefecture (notable companies include the Circuit Components Division and Wakasa Division of Panasonic Electronic Devices Japan Co., Ltd.; Seiren Co., Ltd.; Fukui Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.; Aisin AW Industries Co., Ltd.; Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd., Takefu Plant; Nichicon Corporation, Tomita Factory. At the same time, Fukui is home to a number of nuclear power plants, making it an energy supply base for the Kansai economic region.

Strength of the region's education/research institutes

In addition to the Industrial Technology Center of Fukui Prefecture, which serves as a research, testing and technological development hub intended to help bolster the level of technological capability possessed by factories within the prefecture, there is the Fukui Industrial Support Center, which aims to stimulate industrial activity, enhance technological sophistication and create new industries through the cooperation of industry, academia and government. There is also the Sundome Fukui industry promotion event hall and The Wakasa Wan Energy Research Center, which serves as a base for research, training and exchange in such areas as efficient energy utilization.

Strength of the region's industry-government-academia collaboration

Fukui Prefecture is working to create a cooperative network amongst industry, academia and government which will enable the realization of both the “Basic Policy on Leading-edge Technology Creation”, created by the heads of industry, academia and government in Fukui through the Fukui Prefectural Headquarters for Industry Promotion Strategy, in order to develop an industrial cluster which will support the future growth of Fukui Prefecture, and the “Plan for the Establishment of an Energy Research and Development Hub”, created by Fukui Prefecture with the aim of developing autonomous linkages between local communities and nuclear power.

Strength of the region's infrastructure

Fukui Prefecture is situated such that travelers can make day trips to three of Japan’s largest metropolitan areas and it offers first-class traffic conditions along the Sea of Japan. In addition, thanks to Fukui’s position in almost the exact center of Japan along the Sea of Japan, it has the added merit of cheaper product shipping costs to areas throughout Japan.

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Amongst Japan’s ports, even those located along the Sea of Japan, the Port of Tsuruga is the closest to the two major economic regions of Kansai and Chukyo, and it can easily be accessed by both road and rail, making it an extremely convenient port for use in cargo transport. Regular container vessels run between the Port of Tsuruga and Korea, and Pusan can be reached in only 22 hours. By utilizing transshipment at Pusan, companies can access ports throughout the world, especially those in China and Southeast Asia.

(Related information)

• Research / Technical support: The Wakasa Wan Energy Research Center

Services for investment in Japan

Menu of services	Fees charged?	Content of services
Providing market information
Advice on market participation	No	Available through the Fukui Industrial Support Center
Consulting by external experts and advisers	Yes	Available through the Fukui Industrial Support Center
Support for finding customers
Listing of potential customers and partners	No	Available through the Fukui Industrial Support Center
Listing of potential customers and partners	No	Available through the Fukui Industrial Support Center
Support for establishing a base
Providing incubation facilities or other facilities	Yes	Available through the Fukui Industrial Support Center
Providing information on permits and licensing procedures	No	Available from the Business Promotion Office in the Fukui Prefecture Business Promotion Division
Providing information on subsidy programs	No	Available from the Business Promotion Office in the Fukui Prefecture Business Promotion Division

Available incentives

• Free, ‘one-stop’ information and advice about markets, customers, partner candidates, establishing operational bases, human resources, real estate, etc.
• A system of preferential treatment is in place which compensates companies up to 20% (3 billion yen maximum) of their fixed asset investments.

Links to Related Websites

Local governments and related organizations

• Official website: Fukui Prefectural Government

Research and development

• The Wakasa Wan Energy Research Center

Transportation / living

• International exchange: Fukui International Association
• Other living information : Fukui Sightseeing Information