Why KKJ?
MONOZUKURI Hub
Discover the heartbeat of innovation in the MONOZUKURI hub of KKJ, where tradition inspires tomorrow
KKJ’s monozukuri (or manufacturing) legacy traces its origins back to the establishment of Yawata Steel Works, a government-owned iron manufacturing plant built in the city’s Yawata district (now, Yahata). This site was chosen for its prime geographical location marked by minimal risks from earthquakes and other natural disasters. KKJ’s proximity to coal from mines in the Chikuho area and availability of iron ore from China also enhanced its appeal as a strategic and ideal location.
Yawata Steel Works
Industry leaders soon followed suit, with companies such as Sumitomo Metal Mining, Hitachi Metals Industries, Krosaki Harima, TOTO, AGC ASAHI GLASS, Mitsubishi Chemical, YASKAWA Electric Corporation, and Mitsui High-tec putting down roots in KKJ as they spearheaded Japan’s high economic growth. In recent years, a growing cluster of industries in the mechanical and metal processing, automotive, and environmental and energy sectors have emerged, tapping into KKJ’s wealth of expertise in the materials industry.
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Key industries
- Environment and Energy
- Logistics
- Information and Communications
- Semiconductors
- Materials and Components
- Automotive
KKJ's network of collaboration
- Parts Net Kitakyushu
- Parts Net Kitakyushu organizes lectures and study sessions with professionals from the automobile and parts manufacturing sector and leads field visits to innovative areas, focusing on reducing the size and weight of parts that help improve environmental performance.
- Kitakyushu City Digital Transformation Promotion Platform
- The Kitakyushu City Digital Transformation Promotion Platform serves as a vital link between local companies eager to promote digital transformation and service providers that offer tailored digital solutions and data use strategies to address the challenges they face.
- Kitakyushu System Integrator Network Digital Transformation Marketplace
- The Kitakyushu System Integrator Network Digital Transformation Marketplace is a subscription-based platform that offers access to an extensive portfolio of automation, robotics, AI, and IoT solutions from companies in the Kitakyushu System Integrator Network.
- Kitakyushu Green Transformation Promotion Consortium
- The Kitakyushu Green Transformation Promotion Consortium is committed to the pursuit of carbon neutrality and green growth in local industries.
- Kitakyushu Semiconductor Network
- The Kitakyushu Semiconductor Network partners with prefectural and national government bodies to expand business opportunities for its members and to build up and retain a skilled workforce to stimulate growth and vitality in the semiconductor industry in KKJ.