Fukuoka’s December Budget and Regional Cooperation

On November 21, Fukuoka Prefecture held a press conference to present its December supplementary budget and to report on recent international exchanges with local governments in South Korea.

December Supplementary Budget: ¥14.024 Billion

The December supplementary budget totals ¥14.024 billion, with the majority allocated to increases in prefectural staff salaries. The remainder will fund local initiatives, including:

• Infrastructure Recovery from October 2025 Heavy Rain (¥1.04359 billion)

Reinforcement of damaged infrastructure to prevent future disasters, and restoration of affected cultural assets and World Heritage sites such as ancient burial mounds.

• Addressing Uneven Distribution of Physicians (¥121.36 million)

Financial support for clinic succession and new practice establishment in northeastern areas facing doctor shortages, covering costs such as examination room setup, staff salaries, and operating expenses.

• Securing Childcare Personnel (¥2.88 million)

Introduction of a regional childcare certification exam, allowing candidates to bypass practical tests if they complete prefectural training courses. Successful candidates may initially work only within the prefecture, but of them who work for more than a year, can qualify nationwide after three years when they pass the exam. Public relations and workshops will promote the new system.

• Increasing Use of Kitakyushu Airport (¥1.60 million)

Support for limousine bus services between central Fukuoka and Kitakyushu Airport, including a shift to a reservation-based system for efficiency. The prefecture will also highlight the airport’s advantage of enabling late-night returns from Tokyo.

• Development of Nogata-Kurate Industrial Site (¥1094.41 million)

Ground improvement and related works to expand capacity for attracting new businesses.

SDGs Promotion Site

Since November 21, Fukuoka Prefecture has operated a new SDGs promotion website. The site introduces companies engaged in sustainability initiatives, facilitates partner matching for collaborative projects, and shares information on events and current topics.

Organizational Restructuring in 2026

Effective April 1, 2026, the prefecture will implement organizational reforms, creating new departments and bureaus:

• Policy Planning Department

Oversees policy formulation, DX, and international strategies.

• Municipal and Regional Development Department

  Supports municipalities and regional revitalization.

• Human Resources Development and Career Advancement Department Promotes diverse human resources, youth development, women's advancement, athlete support, and employment for persons with disabilities.

• Airport and Transportation Policy Bureau

Centralizes transportation policy, including airport utilization and local transit.

• Department of Culture

Promotes and cultivates cultural initiatives.

• Small and Medium Enterprise Support Agency

Assists SMEs with human resources, financing, and management challenges.

Strengthening Ties with Korean Local Governments

From October 30 to November 3, governors from Japanese and Korean local governments around the strait met to exchange views on carbon neutrality. Fukuoka introduced its “Blue Carbon” initiative, which protects seaweed beds from sea urchin damage, reduces CO₂ through seaweed growth, and converts reductions into carbon credits. Jeju Province proposed youth exchange programs focused on carbon neutrality facilities.

Fukuoka also participated in meetings of Japanese and Korean governors' associations, promoting local foods and tourism. Fukuoka prefectural governor noted that many tourists visit only Fukuoka City, and emphasized the need to strengthen promotion of other municipalities. Discussions also included potential partnerships between Incheon Airport and Fukuoka Airport to attract more visitors from Europe, the United States, and South Korea. Broader issues such as population decline and startup support were also shared.

Fukuoka prefectural governor concluded by expressing his intention to deepen cooperation with Korean local governments across multiple fields, including environmental initiatives, tourism, and entrepreneurship.