Press conferences on Jun 6th

On June 6, the Governor of Fukuoka Prefecture held a press conference to unveil the initial budget proposal for the upcoming fiscal year. Centered around the theme “Establishing a Foundation for the Next Fukuoka,” the proposed budget amounts to approximately ¥2.1878 trillion and is structured around three strategic pillars:

1. Fostering Population Growth and Livability

2. Advancing Industrial Development and Diversifying Employment Opportunities

3. Promoting Environmental Sustainability and Enhancing Public Safety

1. Fostering Population Growth and Livability

To encourage child-rearing and population growth, the prefectural government will implement a childcare support policy that provides free daycare for families with three or more children. Unlike the national subsidy—which applies only when all three children are enrolled and the youngest is under three years of age—Fukuoka’s initiative covers the daycare fees for the third child and subsequent children regardless of the firstborn’s age or household income.

In addition, the prefecture will expand career experience events for children below elementary school age, with new programs scheduled in Kitakyushu, Chikuho, and Chikugo regions.

Complementary measures under this pillar include:

• Installing air-conditioning systems in all prefectural high schools

• Continuing the Human Resource Development initiative in partnership with UN-HABITAT

• Enhancing technical education and recruitment support at Advanced Technical Schools, including training in electronic control systems and EV charger installation

• Providing reintegration assistance for nurses returning to clinical practice

  
  

2. Advancing Industrial Development and Diversifying Employment Opportunities

To strengthen its industrial competitiveness, Fukuoka Prefecture will establish a state-of-the-art integrated circuit research laboratory equipped with advanced instrumentation and staffed by leading experts in the field. This facility is expected to serve as a hub for semiconductor innovation.

Additional industrial initiatives include:

• Supporting enterprises expanding into post-processing sectors of semiconductor manufacturing

• Creating a biotechnology consultation network to connect startups, academic institutions, and pharmaceutical companies

• Promoting the space industry—including satellite manufacturing and space-related food development—through collaboration with JAXA, and appointing regional business promoters

  
  

Furthermore, in response to demographic shifts, the prefecture will support producers in agriculture, forestry, and fisheries by offering resources to scale operations and develop branded value-added products.

3. Promoting Environmental Sustainability and Enhancing Public Safety

To reduce food waste, the prefecture will distribute reusable takeout containers to approximately 100 restaurants, encouraging diners to reduce leftovers. Concurrently, Fukuoka will bolster its disaster preparedness capabilities through enhanced countermeasures against seismic and tsunami-related hazards.

Fukuoka Prefecture holds great promise for the coming fiscal year.