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 Fukuoka:
Mecca for the Environmental Industries |
| Japan is a country that exhibits strong environmental
awareness. Japanese companies give due consideration to the
environment and also view this as a business opportunity. Fukuoka
Prefecture has chosen a zero emissions initiative as its fundamental
policy for developing an environmentally conscious economic
society and is promoting this as one of its development goals.
A wide range of businesses in the environmental industries are
located in Fukuoka, offering an attractive opportunity for overseas
firms with advanced environmental technologies. |
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A Concentration of Cutting-edge Environmental Technologies
Firms and research institutions in Fukuoka Prefecture have accumulated
a vast array of environmental technologies. Fukuoka Prefecture has a rich and deep heritage as one of the four major industrial regions in Japan, as signified by the establishment of Japan’s first modern ironworks in 1901. Advanced
iron manufacturing technologies as well as petrochemical, mechanical
and other technologies that are required for today's environmental
industry are concentrated in the prefecture. In addition, a
number of companies boast innovative environmental technologies
that have overcome various emissions-related treatment issues. |
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Outstanding Logistics
The environmental industry is established upon and supported
by a long value chain. Therefore, having a preeminent logistics
infrastructure is an important factor for success. In this respect,
Fukuoka Prefecture has developed Japan's leading port
facilities as well as railway and road networks and is the only
region in Japan with large port facilities facing the east coast
of Asia. These factors enable foreign companies in the environment-related industries located in Fukuoka to conduct international business, bringing all of Asia including Japan within reach. |
| Support |
Kitakyushu Ecotown Project
 Kitakyushu City, located in northern Fukuoka Prefecture, has been promoting environmental and recycling industries since the approval of the ecotown project by the national government ahead of other regions in Japan in 1997. The experimental study area is equipped
with experimental facilities necessary for the development of
environmental technologies by companies and support is provided
for smooth development and commercialization. More than twenty firms are engaged in businesses for recycling plastic containers, automobiles, home electronic appliances, waste materials, and other items.
Omuta
Ecotown Plan
 Omuta City, located in southern Fukuoka Prefecture, has proactively promoted the lifecycle-oriented recycling industry since 1998 when its ecotown project was approved by the government. The
area boasts Japan's first commercial Refused Derived
Fuel (RDF) power plant which started operations in 2002. In
addition, activities to support research, education and commercialization
have been conducted at the environmental technology research
center (Omuta Ecosanc Center). Currently, over 10 companies are engaged in recycling-oriented businesses.
Fukuoka
Research Center for Recycling Systems
Fukuoka Prefecture is promoting the development of recycling
technology and a recycling-based socioeconomic system and supports
the implementation of such under a new joint research framework
comprised of companies, universities and local government. Fukuoka Research Center for Recycling Systems was established in 2001. It offers support for research and development and commercialization as well as the provision of information with the objective of realizing a recycling-oriented society in cooperation with Kitakyushu City, Omuta City and other cities. |
| Major Companies |
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Kitakyushu Ecoenergy Co., Ltd.
Kitakyushu Ecoenergy processes crushed waste from automobiles
using gasification blast furnaces, generates electric power,
and produces raw materials for recycling. Jointly established
by Nippon Steel, Japan's largest steel manufacturer,
together with other companies. |
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