Kumamoto Launches Stadium Relocation Plan and Semiconductor Partnership

Kumamoto Prefecture held a press conference on March 26 to outline several new initiatives, including the search for relocation sites for a new baseball stadium, international economic cooperation efforts, and the release of a Kumamoto‑dialect handbook for foreign residents.

Prefecture Begins Accepting Proposals for New Baseball Stadium Site

Kumamoto Prefecture has begun soliciting proposals from municipalities for potential relocation sites for its planned new baseball stadium. The prefecture emphasized two key criteria:

• The proposed site should be close to train stations or areas with high foot traffic

  
  

• The proposing municipality should bear costs in proportion to the benefits and work to enhance the attractiveness of the new stadium

Governor Kabashima stated that he hopes the new stadium will serve as a core facility that further enhances Kumamoto's appeal. The application period runs from March 26 to July 24.

MOU Signed with Kaohsiung and Arizona to Promote Semiconductor Industry Cooperation

Kumamoto Prefecture also announced that it signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on March 12 (U.S. time) to promote economic exchange with Kaohsiung City in Taiwan and the State of Arizona in the United States. The three regions aim to strengthen their positions as core hubs in the global semiconductor industry.

Under the MOU, the parties will cooperate to reinforce supply chains, support industrial transformation using advanced semiconductors, and develop specialized human resources.

The governor noted that this is Kumamoto's first collaboration with the State of Arizona and expressed his intention to hold study sessions with companies and stakeholders interested in expanding ties with the United States.

Kumamoto Releases Dialect Handbook for Foreign Residents

To support foreign residents who may struggle to understand the local dialect, Kumamoto Prefecture has created a Kumamoto Dialect Handbook. The guide explains common dialect expressions in both standard Japanese and English.

The prefecture hopes the handbook will make daily communication easier for foreign residents and help them feel more connected to the local community. The handbook is available on the prefecture's official website.