Japan's Largest Smart City to be Born in Fukuoka in FY2028: Officially Selected as Land Use Developer for the Redevelopment of the Kyushu University Hakozaki Campus Site

A corporate group of eight companies, led by Sumitomo Corporation, was officially selected on Thursday, March 26, 2026, as the land use developer in the "Kyushu University Hakozaki Campus Site Land Use Developer Recruitment" by the National University Corporation Kyushu University and the Urban Renaissance Agency Kyushu Branch.

*Image rendering of the "Innovation Core" district

Background of the Project

This project aims to realize the "Kyushu University Hakozaki Campus Site Grand Design" by leveraging the history and vast grounds of Kyushu University to create a hub for innovation where diverse people gather. It is one of Japan's largest smart city developments, combining tradition and innovation based on the "FUKUOKA Smart EAST*" philosophy.

Industry, government, academia, and citizens will work together, each playing their respective roles, to create and disseminate new industries and to realize a future city that will lead the world as an environmentally advanced city.

*About FUKUOKA Smart EAST

To achieve sustainable development while solving various urban planning challenges such as a declining birthrate and aging population, we will create a comfortable, high-quality lifestyle and urban space by introducing advanced technologies, and work towards building a city we can be proud of in the future.

As a first step, we will begin with the urban development in Hakozaki, which will then be expanded to the entire city and beyond, reaching even more people.

The Vision for the City

Hakozaki, the site of the plan, has a tradition and pride that has been passed down for over 100 years since the opening of Kyushu Imperial University in 1911. This project will leverage its historical background and vast site to create a hub for innovation where various people can gather.

The concept is "HAKOZAKI Green Innovation Campus."

By incorporating the IOWN concept*, a revolutionary technology development with which the nation aims to compete and win globally, we will create an environment that can constantly incorporate new values and technologies to update smart services and create new ones. By integrating and linking various smart services, we aim to provide more appropriate services and realize a future smart city model.

The six core policies for city development (the 100-year history of Kyushu University...