[First Phase] Selected as a "Content Regional Revitalization Hub" as part of the Cool Japan Strategy!

At the "6th Cool Japan Strategy Council" held by the national government, Kitakyushu City's unique initiatives utilizing diverse content such as manga, pop culture, and film were highly evaluated, leading to its selection as a "Content Regional Revitalization Hub" as part of the national Cool Japan strategy. The government positions Cool Japan-related industries such as manga and anime as core industries, aiming for overseas expansion and promoting regional revitalization through their utilization.

Kitakyushu City will further accelerate these efforts in cooperation with the national government, working to expand the related and exchange populations created by diverse content and to further vitalize the local economy.

Overview of Kitakyushu City's Selected Initiatives

● Initiative Name

Kitakyushu City, where the history and future of diverse content intersect, working towards the realization of a "vibrant city"

● Content Genres

Manga, Pop Culture (Anime, Voice Actors, e-sports), Film

About Kitakyushu City's Initiatives

Kitakyushu City has produced numerous renowned manga artists such as Leiji Matsumoto and Seizo Watase, and has long strived to promote manga culture and revitalize the region, centered around the "Kitakyushu Manga Museum" which preserves and utilizes their achievements as local culture.

In this certification, the presence of "Aruaru City", which gathers manga and pop culture-related tenants, was also highly evaluated as a regional revitalization hub. Since its opening in 2012, it has contributed to the vibrancy of the Kokura Station Shinkansen exit and established its position as a city of pop culture.

Furthermore, the "Kitakyushu Pop Culture Festival" celebrated its 10th anniversary last year, attracting over 80,000 visitors and becoming widely recognized as one of Kyushu's largest events, drawing many fans from both Japan and abroad.

In addition, the establishment of the city brand as a "City of Film" through the Film Commission project, which Kitakyushu has been working on ahead of other regions, and city development through film with the Kitakyushu International Film Festival, were also evaluated as diverse and attractive content utilization examples.

Mayor's Comment

I am deeply honored that Kitakyushu City's long-standing efforts have been recognized and certified as a national "Content Regional Revitalization Hub."

Kitakyushu City is a city where the history and future of diverse content such as manga, pop culture, and film intersect. Taking this selection as an opportunity, we will collaborate with the national government to further refine Kitakyushu City's unique charm and disseminate it nationwide and worldwide.

With the power of content, we will further develop Kitakyushu City into a "profitable city" and a "vibrant city."

Overview of the Cabinet Office's Content Regional Revitalization Hubs

• The national government positions Cool Japan-related industries such as manga and anime as core industries, aiming for overseas expansion and promoting regional revitalization through their utilization.

• As part of this, the government plans to select unique regional initiatives that are expected to have significant economic ripple effects in the regional economy as "Content Regional Revitalization Hubs" at the Cool Japan Strategy Council, and to accelerate these initiatives to vitalize the regional economy.