Fukuoka City declared itself a "Startup City" 10 years ago, and has since given birth to numerous growing companies.

However, none of these companies have gone public yet.

Fukuoka, located in Japan’s Southern Kyushu region, boasts the highest startup rate in Japan — even beating Tokyo. It has implemented initiatives such as reducing corporate taxes for startups and providing facilities to support their growth. Despite these achievements, there is a notable lack of specialized talent capable of steering companies toward IPOs or global expansion.

To address this, Fukuoka has started a new program that introduces IPO-knowledgeable personnel and subsidizes part of their salaries. Other regions and the national government are also increasingly focusing on startup support, with unique initiatives emerging in cities like Nagasaki and Okinawa.

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Source : https://www.yomiuri.co.jp/local/kyushu/feature/CO050392/20220908-OYTAT50016/

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