Fukuoka City Corporate Attraction Seminar in Tokyo: July 9, 2026 – Showcasing Fukuoka’s Appeal as a City of Choice in the AI Era

Fukuoka City (Mayor: Koichiro Takashima) will co-host, with Nikkei Business Media, the 'Fukuoka City Corporate Attraction Seminar in Tokyo' on Thursday, July 9, 2026, at the Palace Hotel Tokyo and via online streaming. The event targets companies considering relocating headquarters functions or establishing new business bases.

Under the theme 'AI × Fukuoka City: Why Fukuoka is Chosen in the Age of AI,' the seminar will comprehensively present Fukuoka’s rapidly evolving business environment, urban strategy, and advantages for corporate relocation.

Purpose

'Tenjin Big Bang,' 'Hakata Connected'—Fukuoka City is growing with transformative momentum, reshaping the entire cityscape. Many companies have already begun relocating, recognizing the emerging state-of-the-art office environments and Fukuoka’s strategic position in Kyushu as a gateway to Asia. We invite you to attend and consider relocating your headquarters or establishing a regional base.

Event Overview

• Name: Fukuoka City Corporate Attraction Seminar in Tokyo

• Date and Time: Thursday, July 9, 2026, 11:30 AM – 3:00 PM

• Venue: Room 'Aoi,' 2nd Floor, Palace Hotel Tokyo (1-1-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo) + Online Streaming

• Participation Fee: Free (On-site participation is by lottery if applications exceed capacity)

• Organizers: Fukuoka City, Nikkei Business Media

• Co-organizer: Fukuoka Economic Federation Fukuoka Regional Committee

• Patronage: Japan Association of Corporate Executives (Keizai Doyukai)

Main Program

1. Presentation

Mayor Koichiro Takashima of Fukuoka City will present the city’s urban strategy centered on the 'virtuous cycle of urban growth and improved quality of life,' highlighting the appeal of Fukuoka’s business environment.

Mayor of Fukuoka City

Koichiro Takashima

Born November 1, 1974. Joined KBC Kyushu Asahi Broadcasting in 1997, serving as anchor for information and environmental programs, becoming a familiar face in Fukuoka mornings. Assumed office as Mayor of Fukuoka City in December 2010. Re-elected in 2014, 2018, and 2022, each time receiving the highest number of votes in history, currently serving his fourth term. Implements various policies aligned with the core urban management strategy: 'Creating a virtuous cycle of urban growth and improved quality of life.'

2. Lunch Session

'The Office Environment in Fukuoka Analyzed from an International Perspective'

— Buffet-style lunch featuring local Fukuoka ingredients —

The importance of office environments is rising, especially in relation to human capital management. The world’s largest commercial real estate services firm will analyze Fukuoka’s office market. Developers actively constructing buildings will also speak, introducing specific properties. Enjoy lunch while listening.

CBRE Japan, Inc. Fukuoka Branch Manager, Senior Director

Hiroteru Ono

Born in Fukuoka City in 1976. Graduated from the Faculty of Commerce, Seinan Gakuin University. Joined Ikoma CB Richard Ellis Co., Ltd. (now CBRE Japan, Inc.) in April 1999. After working in office, logistics, and sales brokerage divisions, appointed Fukuoka Branch Manager in January 2024.

3. Panel Discussion

'AI × Fukuoka City: Why Fukuoka is Chosen in the Age of AI'

What location strategies should companies adopt in the AI era? Educational institutions developing talent in Fukuoka, actual relocating companies, and technical experts will discuss together.

LINE YAHOO Communications Co., Ltd. Representative Director, President & CEO

Yusuke Suzuki

Born in Fukuoka Prefecture in 1976. Graduated from the Faculty of Economics, Kyushu University. Joined NEC in 1999 as a sales representative. Joined Recruit Media Communications (now Recruit) in 2003, serving as a creative director for advertising, supporting recruitment and brand planning for major corporations from Tokyo. Joined LINE Corporation in 2014, participating in the founding of LINE Fukuoka Co., Ltd. (now LINE YAHOO Communications). In 2017, collaborated with Fukuoka City to launch the 'Fukuoka City Official LINE Account,' leading an unprecedented public-private partnership project, achieving the highest number of friends among municipal LINE accounts nationwide (1.94 million as of September 2025). Appointed Representative Director, President & CEO in 2021 (current position). Hobby: marathon running. Author of 'Work Can Be Simply Solved with 'Arithmetic'' (Forest Publishing).

Accenture Japan, Ltd. Managing Director, Business Consulting Data & AI Group

Kana Konet

Joined Accenture after graduating from Kyushu University Graduate School. Has extensive cross-industry consulting experience using AI and data science. Recently specializes in generative AI support. Engages in social contribution activities focused on STEAM talent development. U-turned to Fukuoka in 2020. Leads AI adoption in BPO/back-office operations and AI/DX promotion for local enterprises. Mother of two children.

Kyushu University Executive Vice President & Trustee Professor

Seiichi Uchida

Graduated from the Faculty of Engineering, Kyushu University in 1990; completed Master’s in 1992; earned Ph.D. (Engineering) in 1999. Researcher at Secom IS Laboratory (1992–1996); Assistant at Kyushu University (1999); Associate Professor (2002); Professor (2007); Principal Professor (2017); Executive Vice President & Trustee from 2024. Engaged in research on image informatics, real data analysis, and AI applications. Recipient of the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Award (Science and Technology Prize) in 2019. Director of the Kyushu University Center for Mathematics and Data Science since 2017.

4. Networking

After the seminar, drinks will be served, and a business card exchange session will be held among participants.

Additionally, consultation booths will be set up at the venue for real estate agencies, staffing firms, and university career centers to address challenges related to corporate relocation.

Support for concrete considerations toward relocation, such as office selection and talent recruitment, will be provided.

Recommended for These Companies

• Companies considering headquarters relocation or decentralization

• Companies planning to establish regional bases or expand operations

• Companies formulating growth strategies in AI and IT fields

Registration Method

Please register via the dedicated website below.

https://neon.event.nikkei.com/e/6513

• On-site participation: July 2, 2026 (Thursday) 5:00 PM

• Online participation: July 9, 2026 (Thursday) 2:00 PM

Contact

Fukuoka City Corporate Attraction Seminar Secretariat

E-mail: fukuoka-city2026@info.email.ne.jp