Becoming an innovative city ready for challenges
- Twenty-one million people currently visit Fukuoka City every year for sightseeing and business. For eight years running, Fukuoka has been the top ordinance-designated city for holding international conferences, and for four years in a row it has been Japan's top port of call for cruise ships. Our city's population-growth rate is the highest of the 21 major cities, out-performing Tokyo, attracting people and businesses. The business startup rate is also strong, topping 7% for five years running. Due to a healthy regional economy, tax revenue has also continued to reach new record highs for five consecutive years.
- Fukuoka is the only ordinance-designated city to have achieved this.
- However, when we think globally, we can see that several major cities have successively been creating innovation and growing rapidly. So rather than being content with our achievements so far, we are moving up a gear and pressing ahead with our next challenge— FUKUOKA NEXT: a project to propel Fukuoka City to the next stage. Specifically speaking, urban development projects such as Tenjin Big Bang and Water Front Next will enhance Fukuoka’s business environment. Furthermore, we are also determined to support startups and demonstrate and implement the latest cutting-edge technologies.
- By creating a stage where talented individuals and innovative companies can demonstrate their potential to the full, and by attracting outstanding challengers from home and abroad, I want to create Fukuoka-born innovation through various collaborations.
- Soichiro Takashima, Mayor of Fukuoka City
