Previous Fukuoka News
2011 Robotics Industry Development Council Annual General Meeting (July 27, 2011) |
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| Governor Ogawa watching a demonstration of a walking training robot |
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| Toshiharu Mukai of RIKEN-TRI Collaboration Center for Human-Interactive Robot Research giving a lecture |
Promoting the Robot Industry to Vitalize Japan
The robot industry is expected to grow in a variety of fields including medical, caregiving, and living support. In order to promote the commercialization and practical application of robots through coordinating R&D and pilot experiments, Fukuoka Prefecture established the Robotics Industry Development Council--a coalition between corporations, academic institutions, and government.
On July 27, the Council held its annual general meeting, where it announced it would hold the China-Japan-Korea Robot Forum this fall, and featured a lecture by an organization working on the joint development of caregiving robots. In the opening remarks Governor Ogawa said that, "After the Great East Japan Earthquake, people have become keenly aware of effectiveness of using robots for work in dangerous areas. It is my hope that this Council becomes a driving force to contribute to the economic development of the region and the creation of new jobs, as well as vitalize not only Fukuoka Prefecture but all of Japan.
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Fukuoka Motor Show 2012 Executive Committee (July 25, 2012) |
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| Governor Ogawa giving the opening remarks |
Fukuoka Motor Show 2012 is On!
Northern Kyushu is a major center for automobile production, producing 1.54 million automobiles per year.
The Fukuoka Motor Show 2012 Executive Committee had their first meeting on July 25. The Committee is comprised of forty-eight organizations representing industry, academia, and government. In order to communicate Northern Kyushu's capacity as a production center and future prospects within and outside of the region, and further develop the auto industry, the committee has decided to hold the 3rd Fukuoka Motor Show in January.
Governor Ogawa said in his opening remarks that, "The automotive industry is a diverse industry, a driving force for job creation and economic vitalization. I hope that all of Fukuoka and Kyushu rallies together to put on a lively Motor Show."
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141st Big Market (July 25, 2011) |
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| Crowds at new product exhibitions and business talks |
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| Governor Ogawa listening eagerly to an exhibitor |
Japanese and International Venture Companies Announce New Products!
In order to assist venture companies procure funds and expand their markets, Fukuoka Prefecture holds Fukuoka Venture Market (FVM) every month, where venture companies can hold business meetings and make presentations to venture capitalists, trading companies, and potential clients.
Big Market is a larger-scale event which also offers venture companies a chance to exhibit their latest products, give lectures, and network amongst each other. The 141st Big Market was held at Acros Fukuoka on July 25.
Twenty-six next generation companies from Korea and China as well as Japan exhibited new products, engaged in business talks, presented business plans, and promoted energy efficient products and new technologies in hopes of concluding a deal.
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Fukuoka Strategy Conference for Hydrogen Energy General Meeting and Commemorative Lecture (July 22, 2011) |
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| Governor Ogawa giving opening remarks at the meeting |
Striving for a Hydrogen Energy Society
Fukuoka Prefecture, in conjunction with Fukuoka Strategy Conference for Hydrogen Energy (an organization comprised of 637 corporations, government agencies, and academic institutions), has implemented Fukuoka Hydrogen Strategy (Hy-Life Project) which aims to promote the realization of an environmentally-friendly hydrogen energy society. Their general meeting was held in Fukuoka City on July 22, at which it was announced that for the second phase of the Strategy they will strive to create a new hydrogen energy market and industry based on the results of their previous pilot experiments. At the meeting Governor Ogawa told attendees that, "By leveraging the best testing and research centers in the world, such as the Hydrogen Energy Test and Research Center, we will be able to develop new products and technology as well as grow and increase the number of companies in the field."
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Fukuoka Ruby Business Hub Promotion Committee 2011 General Meeting (July 21, 2011) |
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| Governor Ogawa giving opening remarks at the meeting |
Expanding Ruby Business!
Ruby is a popular programming language that allows for the fast, low-cost development of software. In order to leverage this language and further expand Fukuoka Prefecture's software industry, a general meeting of the Fukuoka Ruby Business Hub Promotion Committee--a coalition of corporations, academic institutions, and government agencies--was held on July 21 in Fukuoka City. Over 230 people representing member organizations were in attendance.
In his opening remarks Governor Ogawa said that, "Member universities and corporations of the Fukuoka Ruby Business Hub Promotion Committee (established in December of last year) are working together to accelerate the expansion of businesses utilizing Ruby and making progress in the development of Lightweight Ruby--which will greatly improve the productivity of embedded software development."
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Keichiku Kagura Performance at Kitakyushu Airport (July 9, 2011) |
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| Kagura performers performing a soul-stirring dance |
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| Keichiku specialty products were a big hit with travelers, too. |
Dancing for the Kami of the Sky
There are 32 kagura (Shinto sacred dance and music) groups in the Keichiku region. That is more active groups than any other region in Japan--a point of pride for Keichiku. In order to promote Keichiku as the mecca of kagura culture, a performance was held at Kitakyushu Airport on July 9.
Four kagura groups conducted six performances, which was met with thunderous applause by travelers and visitors at the airport.
Regional specialties such as fresh and miso-pickled vegetables, and konnyaku were sold at the performance venue--also a big hit with passers-by.
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Bangkok Youth Exchange Group Comes to Fukuoka (June 30 - July 6, 2011) |
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| Vice Governor Etsuko Ebii welcoming the visiting youth group |
Aiming to Further Promote Friendship and Exchange
Fukuoka Prefecture has signed a friendship agreement with Bangkok, Thailand to strengthen cooperation and exchange in various fields including economy, environment, culture, and tourism. This year marks the fifth year of the agreement, and in order to promote exchange between the youth of Japan and Thailand, the Bangkok Youth Exchange Group (comprised of 20 high school students) visited Fukuoka.
The group visited Kokura High School and Genkai High School, where they deepened friendships by introducing Japanese students to traditional Thai arts and joining in on lessons. And through homestay, the children experienced Japanese daily life and toured cutting-edge centers of industry such as Eco-Town in Kitakyushu and the Toyota Motor Kyushu plant.
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Kyushu Shinkansen Celebrates First 100 Days (June 19, 2011) |
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| Tateki Ide, the first stationmaster when Hakata Station moved to its present location in 1963, served as stationmaster for the day. |
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| Praying for safety at Tetsudo ("railway") Shrine on the rooftop of JR Hakata City. |
Sending Get-Up-And-Go from the West
June 19 marked the first 100 days since JR Kyushu began full operation of all lines of the Kyushu Shinkansen, and a momoka-iwai ceremony (a traditional ceremony celebrating the first 100 days of a child's birth) was held at JR Hakata Station in honor of the occasion. In his opening remarks Governor Ogawa told attendees that, "Forty years ago when the Sanyo Shinkansen line and Hikari express opened, the slogan was 'Hikari express, aspiring to the West'. But now that the East is faced with the hardships from the recent earthquake, it is time for Kyushu Shinkansen to 'send get-up-and-go from the West.'"
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Hakata Gion Yamakasa 770 Year Commemorative Ceremony (June 16, 2011) |
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| The governor telling a story from his childhood when he participated in the festival as a member of the Chiyonagare group. |
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| Taiko drum performer livens up the ceremony by performing the song used during the oiyama race from Kushida Shrine that occurs at the end of the festival. |
Promoting the Continued Expansion of the World-Famous Traditional Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival
Hakata Gion Yamakasa is Fukuoka Prefecture's most well-known festival, attracting millions of spectators every year. Its origins can be traced back to 1241 in the Kamakura Period. This year marks 770 years of the festival, and in honor of the occasion the Hakata Gion Yamakasa 770 Year Commemorative Ceremony was held in Fukuoka City on June 16.
Governor Ogawa gave the opening remarks to an excited crowd of men wearing happi saying, "Yamakasa is a synonym for vitality in Fukuoka. Let's put on a great festival and send all of that energy to help Japan recover."
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2011 Fukuoka Prefecture Comprehensive Disaster Drill (June 5, 2011) |
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| Rescuing a local from a rooftop drifting on the sea after a tsunami. |
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| Local residents and fishermen on the seaside evacuating to higher ground after a tsunami warning has been issued. |
Reinforcing Tsunami Countermeasures
The annual Fukuoka Prefecture Comprehensive Disaster Drill to prepare for disasters such as earthquakes, tsunami, storms, and floods was held in Ashiyamachi on June 5.
Around 1,300 people, including firefighters, police, Self Defense Force soldiers, coast guard, medical professionals, and locals participated. This was the first Comprehensive Disaster Drill since the Great East Japan Earthquake. New exercises including evacuation as well as search and rescue of people adrift at sea were added to prepare for the event of a 3.3 meter tsunami.
Drills for the evacuation of handicapped individuals during a disaster, such as moving them from a social welfare facility to a welfare evacuation center, were conducted in order to verify methods for their safe evacuation.
Governor Ogawa, who also serves as the disaster drill director told participants that, "A disaster can happen to any of us, at any time, at any place. In order to be able to respond quickly and appropriately, under any conditions, we need to intensify our study of proper countermeasures.
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Fukuoka Contents Industry Hub Promotion Committee 2011 General Meeting (June 3, 2011) |
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| Governor Ogawa giving opening remarks at the meeting |
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| Ryuta Shiiki talking about enhancing Fukuoka's ability to dispatch information. |
Striving to Become a Major Hub in the Digital Contents Industry
The Fukuoka Contents Industry Hub Promotion Committee--a coalition of corporations, academic institutions, and government agencies--works to expand business and train human resources in order further expand the digital contents industry of Fukuoka Prefecture.
The Committee held its general meeting on June 3, and Governor Ogawa gave the opening remarks saying, "It is my hope for Fukuoka to deploy engaging digital contents into the world, and help Japan along its path to recovery." At the meeting, attendees listened attentively to a special lecture given by Ryuta Shiiki, CEO of animation production company DLE Inc., and to presentations on the latest developments in the digital contents field of Fukuoka Prefecture.
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