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Investing in Japan

Regional Information

Fukuoka city

The information below is as of June 2011.

Your Regional Guide: Kenji Tanaka

Fukuoka City Concierge

Inquires about investment in Japan.

International Economic Affairs DepartmentTo other site
City Hall 14F, 1-8-1Tenjin, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka-city, Fukuoka Prefecture 810-8620
TEL: +81-92-711-4343   FAX: +81-92-733-5593

Fukuoka city

*If you can't find the information you need, please contact JETRO.

*Search for business partners in Japan via "Database of candidate partners" in the "General Business Information" section or using TTPP (Trade Tie-up Promotion Program), JETRO's free online business matching database.

*Please note that inquires not regarding investment in Japan may not be answered.

  • General Business Information
  • Industrial Cluster Information
  • Living environment for foreigners
  • FAQs

Basic Information

Population*1 1.46 million
Labor force*1 0.69 million
Area*2 341 km²
GDP*3 Please inquire to your local government for the detailed information about city GDP.
Major industries Services (for businesses and individuals), wholesale/retail, real estate, transport/communication, and manufacturing industries (food processing, printing/publishing, and machinery/metals)
Developing industries Knowledge-creating industries (ICT, robotics, semiconductor, online content, and nanotechnology), Automotive industries, health/medical/welfare, and logistics industries
Offices overseas

Shanghai, China
Offices in Japan Tokyo
JETRO office

JETRO Fukuoka

*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

Fukuoka City's sphere of influence in terms of transportation and information extends to the whole Kyushu and Yamaguchi Prefectures, which contain a population of 15 million. It is also geographically close to markets in China's coastal regions and Korea. Because of its population concentration and highly sensitive consumers, the city is attracting attention as a location for test marketing prior to the decision on nationwide sales of new products or business expansion. Motivated by the volume of business and consumption in the Kyushu and Yamaguchi area, wholesale and B2B services comprise a large portion and the supportive functions for the industries in the whole Kyushu are concentrated here.

Strength of the region's education/research institutes

Momochihama Seaside Momochi is adjacent to the city center and has established a high-quality office environment around the Fukuoka SRP Center. It has become the center of the information-related industry, consisting of approximately 200 companies and 10,000 employees working there. Even after having attracted the Institute of Systems, Information Technologies and Nanotechnologies (ISIT), which is a public research institution on systems and information technologies, the Fukuoka Institute of System LSI Design Industry, providing comprehensive support on system LSIs through industry-government-academia collaboration, as well as commercial R&D businesses, the area is still developing as a base of research and development. Taking the opportunity of the move to the Ito Campus in Nishi Ward, Kyushu University aims at establishing a base of knowledge suitable for the era of knowledge in the 21st century.

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

The “Kyushu Silicon Cluster Plan” has been advanced through collaboration between industry, government and academia to create an industrial cluster in Kyushu. The “Silicon Sea-belt Fukuoka Project” which aims to build a design/development base to serve as a leader in Asia is being promoted by Fukuoka Prefecture.
The City is also aiming to support human resource training and recruitment as well as industrial clustering through the nation’s first game industry-related industry-government-academia organization, the “Fukuoka Game Industry Promotion Agency”.

Strength of the region's infrastructure

Port of Hakata The City has daily flights to Pusan, Seoul, Shanghai, Dalian, Taipei, Hong Kong, and Bangkok. Among them, the flight schedule enables travelers to make a same-day return business trip to Pusan, Seoul, and Shanghai. Hakata Port has 214 container services per month, and Fukuoka Airport has 18 international routes and 22 domestic routes. In addition, an interchange of an expressway and a cargo railway station are conveniently located within the city. All these features are highly rated as a physical distribution center of East Asia. Toyota exports completed cars from Hakata Port to China.

<Land>

An established network of expressways directly connects Fukuoka to major cities in Kyushu and the rest of Japan. It is possible to bypass the urban areas and avoid traffic congestion, when traveling to Hakata Port and Fukuoka Airport, if you use the Fukuoka Interchange or Dazaifu Interchange on the Kyushu Expressway.

<Air>

Connected to 18 cities overseas, more and more passengers and cargoes fly from Fukuoka Airport every year as a hub of Asia. It has become Japan's third largest international airport in terms of trade value, following Narita and Kansai. Fukuoka Airport offers excellent access to major cities in Asia; Shanghai is 90 minutes away (three round-trip flights a day) and Seoul is 70 minutes away (six round-trip flights a day). The airport is also connected to a number of major cities in Japan. It takes only 5 to 11 minutes from the business area　in Fukuoka to the Airport by subway. It is one of the most convenient airports in the world.

<Sea>

Hakata Port is one of the specially designated ports in Japan. It is the only port from Kobe and to the west that has routes to North America and Europe and boasts the largest international container cargo volume handled in Kyushu. Daily ferry services are in operation, connecting Fukuoka and Pusan in six hours and twice-weekly high-speed cargo services connects Fukuoka and Shanghai in 28 hours. In addition to the above, three to six high-speed passenger ships a day are in service to Pusan, connecting two cities within three hours.

<Railway>

The Shinkansen and abundant limited express trains strengthen the railway network in Kyushu. The network is connected to major cities in Kyushu and the rest of Japan. The Kyushu Shinkansen opened between Hakata and Kagoshima, which further improved the convenience of passengers.

(Related information)
Foreign company(s) operating in the industry

Fukuoka City has long been a popular choice among major foreign companies as the location for their Kyushu/West Japan regional headquarters. In recent years, the city has been increasingly chosen as a toehold by the East Asian companies in East Asian countries such as China and Korea entering into the Japanese market.

For more information of the foreign companies entering in Fukuoka City, see "Interviews with companies established in Fukuoka" page of the Asiabiz Fukuoka portal site.
Asiabiz Fukuoka portal site: Interviews with companies established in FukuokaTo other site

Company name Sun Microsystems K.K. (now Oracle Corporation Japan)
Industry sector ICT
Date of entry 2003年4月
Company name Dongil Rubber Belt Japan Co. Ltd.To other site
Industry sector Manufacture and sale of rubber transmission belts
Date of entry August 2008
Company name Suntech Power Japan CorporationTo other site
Industry sector Manufacture and sale of solar battery systems
Date of entry 2010

Services for investment in Japan

Menu of services Fees charged? Content of services
Providing market information
Advice on market participation No

If sufficient information is not found in existing publications, consult with an IBSC advisor stationed in the JETRO Fukuoka adjacent to Fukuoka City Hall, or an advisor at the trade information center.
Consulting by external experts and advisers Yes

You will be introduced to commercial consulting firms specialized in market research. Some are specialized in Fukuoka or Kyushu regions and some are the branches of the companies capable of conducting nationwide market surveys.
Arranging appointments with potential customers and partners Yes

Introduction to consulting firms specialized in market research as above
Support for finding customers
Monitoring surveys (evaluation of products and services) Yes

Introduction to consulting firms specialized in market research as above
Listing of potential customers and partners No

Fukuoka City has a database of local companies which are interested in conducting business with foreign companies. The database can be searched.
Listing of potential customers and partners No

Introductions will be made and assistance will be provided for arranging appointments with companies on the above database or with the companies you contacted, if both parties agree with it.
Support for establishing a base
Providing incubation facilities or other facilities In some case, yes

JETRO Fukuoka, adjacent to the Fukuoka City Hall, assumes the role of IBSC and provides booths free of charge. There are also commercial incubation businesses that adopt simplified contract style that facilitate new foreign companies to rent the facilities.

Providing incubation facilities or other facilities In some case, yes

For typical cases, Fukuoka City Hall has prepared a manual and makes it available on its website, where trial cost calculation function is provided free of charge. For cases previously unheard of, you will be directed to specialist consultants.
Providing information on procedures for investing in Japan No

Manuals are prepared and made available on the website for typical examples of foreign companies branching into Fukuoka. This includes feasibility studies, acquisition of visas and residence status, corporate registration, securing of offices, recruiting, tax payment, housing accommodation, business expansion, and withdrawal from business depending on circumstances.
Arranging the meetings needed to establish a base (real estate, manpower services) No

Real estate agencies, staff agencies and other supporting businesses that are supportive to the opening of business by foreign companies can be introduced.
Introduction of available properties and advice on hiring personnel No

For offices, warehouses and other business locations, real estate agencies may offer advice from the viewpoint of specialists. For recruiting and employment, you will be directed to free consultation service by a certified social insurance labor consultant or an enterprise management consultant.
Providing information on permits and licensing procedures No

For administrative procedures under the jurisdiction of the City, it provides a variety of support including information provision, sending application materials and progress management. You will even be accompanied when you go to the department in charge of the relevant approval and license. It also introduces appropriate organizations for matters beyond the jurisdiction of the City.
Providing information on subsidy programs No

It provides consultation about the location promotion system of the City and accepts an application. It can also direct you to the institution that surveys and controls subsidies that may available to your business plan, if requested.

Following the example of the national government’s INVEST JAPAN (comprehensive and centralized point of contact for companies directly investing in Japan), Fukuoka City established a one-stop service for administrative procedures for foreign companies locating in Fukuoka. It transmits information about the City’s investment climate and provides support for companies coming to Fukuoka.

Database of candidate partners

Available incentives

A variety of support programs are available for businesses locating in Fukuoka City, including subsidy for the office rent. Especially for the foreign companies seeking the first toehold in Japan, part of the recruiting expenses and consulting fee for the company-formation specialist is subsidized. Contact us before making an application, because prior consultation is necessary.

Links to Related Websites

Local governments and related organizations
Incentives
Industry cluster plans
Research and development
Transportation / living
Other information

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