Local and international companies working side by side

A number of elite and vibrant international business leaders, including Toyota, Honda, Canon, and Sony, have plants in Kyushu. These giant corporations, however, represent only a fraction of the businesses in Kyushu that are competitive at the international level. Numerous smaller companies are also making major impacts globally with their advanced technologies.

Local companies display global-level technology

For example, Honda Lock has some of the most cutting-edge automobile parts production technologies in the world. Then, there is Hirata Corporation, which manufactures and sells production systems for manufacturing plants ranging from automobile and semiconductor factories to medical, physics and chemistry equipment. Hirata holds the fourth largest market share in the world in its field. Kyushu is also home to Yaskawa Electric Corporation, which holds the largest share of the global market for industrial robots and also holds the record for the highest total number of robot deliveries.

Even local companies are tops in their fields

In addition, Kyushu has many companies among small- and medium-sized enterprises that dominate their fields globally, including Nakashimada Engineering Works, which has 50% of the world market share in the field of small- and medium-sized screw manufacturing equipment development, and Toa Koki, which is an international leader in engine parts for large ships.

Zoning to support the next generation of industry

In fact, after the Tokyo-Yokohama and Osaka-Kobe-Kyoto regions, Kyushu, with its highly competitive entrepreneurial culture, has the third highest rate of new business creation. Among these, robotics, IT, biotechnology, and other future-oriented industries receive support through special zones¹ that are promoted systematically by local governments, and include the Special Zone for Robot Development and Testing, the Asia IT special zone, and the Asia Biotechnology Special Zone.

Leaders in the fields of IT, robotics and biotech as well

In Japan, Kyushu is a prominent region in the robotics field, serving as the home for Yaskawa Electric Corporation, the world leader in industrial robots, and local universities that have achieved outstanding results in the Robot Soccer World Cup (RoboCup). In the IT field, we welcome overseas enterprises and have many advantages² to encourage them to establish offices here. In the biotechnology field, we have venture businesses that conduct world-class research, including Aqumen. This pharmaceutical development company, which began at the Kyushu University Faculty of Medicine, develops cutting-edge drug treatments for age-related macular degeneration. Another example is Green Peptide, a pharmaceutical development venture business that develops cancer treatments using personalized peptide vaccinations. The cluster of biotechnology activity in Kyushu cultivates venture businesses such as these that will lead the way in future research and technology development.

At the forefront of environmental business

Kyushu is cultivating and promoting environmental businesses. For example, the Kyushu Recycle and Environmental Industry Plaza was established as a cross-sectional organization that combines the efforts of industry, academia and government in the goal of creating new industries.
In the Kitakyushu Eco-Town Plan, which was the first of its kind in Japan, over 20 businesses are involved in the recycling of appliances, automobiles, construction waste, PET bottles, fluorescent bulbs and other materials. With the greatest number of environmental-related businesses concentrated in one place in Japan, this plan is receiving attention not only domestically, but from interested observers overseas as well.

Eco-Town Plans: Based on the concept of zero waste emissions, these regional projects promote urban planning that is harmonious with the natural environment.

Kitakyushu Eco-Town

Organization for Promotion Academic City by Kyusyu University

TECHNOLOGY & SKILL