Fukuoka Growth Global City Status


●What is Information & Strategy Office?
The ‘Information & Strategy Office’ was set up in URC (Fukuoka Asian Urban Research Center) as an advisory team serving for Fukuoka City with a mission to contribute to the economic growth of Fukuoka City.
In daily operation, it collects and analyzes data and information, consults to city bureaus and the general public, builds up policy options and recommends priorities to support Mayor’s decision making.
●”Fukuoka Growth 2014-2015 Global City Status”
December 18, 2014
03. Hub of Global Marine Logistics, Exporting “Value” to Asia and the World
In terms of cargo volume, while China is the largest partner of trade both in import and export, other countries vary in those trends in export and import (see figure 3-1). Import items such as clothing, agricultural and fishery products, and materials come from their manufacturing countries. Aside from vehicles, most export items such as parts and raw materials are for the pre- completion steps in the manufacturing process.
Fukuoka City is playing an important role in the global value chain as seen in (figure 3-2).
Although only China accounts for a large share of import value, not only China but also Korea account for a large share of export value.
Additionally, while other top 10 trading ports have heavy industrial areas around, Fukuoka City without industrial areas keeps the high amount of export value based on the “added value”.

Fukuoka City is also a rare place where its seaport is located in the center of city on a global basis, while not many large cities have seaports which can be the marine logistics hub. Hakata port is located in the important place that connects Japan with Asia, and has been prospering as a trading port since early times, as well as a gateway not only for logistics but also for international marine routes. The number of international passengers at Hakata port is the largest in Japan.
In recent years, the high-speed logistics between Fukuoka and Shanghai using high-speed roll-on/roll-off ships (RORO ships) has been established. While it takes approximately 7 days from Tokyo Port to Shanghai by cargo ship, a liner from Hakata port that sails to Shanghai only for 28 hours at the quickest is in service, which gives Fukuoka an advantage in speed.
To take in dynamism of Asia is the important challenge for Japanese economy. It can be said that it is the important strategy for growth of Fukuoka City to continue to strengthen the relationship with Asia and the world by generating a higher “added value” while taking advantage of geographic proximity and the speed of Hakata port.