Investing in Japan
Regional Information
Fukui
Moving forward together! Boundless drive. Boundless energy. Fukui.
- Your Regional Guide: Mitsuharu Kawabata
Inquiry form
Department of Business, Industry and Labor Business Attraction Division
3-17-1 Ohte, Fukui-city, Fukui Prefecture 910-8580
TEL: +81-776-20-0375 FAX: +81-776-20-0678
- Basic Information
- Regional Profile
- Services for investment in Japan
- Available incentives
- Living environment for foreigners
- Links to Related Websites
Basic Information
| Population | 0.816 million (October 2007) |
|---|---|
| Labor force | 0.404 million (October 2007) |
| Area | 4,189km² (October 2007) |
| GDP | 3,358 billion yen (2004) |
| Major industries | Electronics and devices, chemistry, textiles, plastics, electrical machinery |
| Developing industries | Electronics and devices, general machinery, transportation machinery |
| Offices overseas | Hong Kong, China/Shanghai, China |
| Offices in Japan | Tokyo/Osaka |
| JETRO office | JETRO Fukui |
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 Panasonic Electronic Devices Fukui 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; and Panasonic Electronic Devices Wakasa Co., Ltd.). 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.
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.
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 establishing a base | ||
| 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.
Living environment for foreigners
| Living environment | Fukui Prefecture is known for its four distinct seasons. Being located in the North, many people have an image of Fukui as a cold place. But in reality Fukui City is the same latitude as Fukaya City in Saitama Prefecture, without any real difference in temperature between the two metropolitan areas. In addition, Fukui Prefecture consistently ranks near the top of surveys examining wealth, livability, etc., thanks to the convenience and safety which Fukui has to offer to employees and their families. |
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Links to Related Websites
- Fukui Prefectural Government
- The Wakasa Wan Energy Research Center
- Fukui Sightseeing Information
- Fukui International Association
