Draft "Next-Generation Town Development and Investment Strategy" for Kokura and Kurosaki: Aiming for About JPY 1 Trillion of Private Investment by 2043A draft plan to renew Kokura and Kurosaki and attract JPY 1 trillion of private money
On July 21, 2026 (Reiwa 8), Kitakyushu City announced in an individual press conference a draft "Next-Generation Town Development and Investment Strategy" for the areas around Kokura and Kurosaki stations. The draft aims to attract about JPY 1 trillion of mainly private investment by 2043 (the 80th anniversary of the city), and says it will consider a "private investment promotion package" including deregulation, tax and fiscal measures. It is to be compiled within this fiscal year and its contents are not settled.
Key points
- The target area is within about 1 km of Kokura and Kurosaki stations. Kokura is positioned as "Kokura Boost (a base for creation)" and Kurosaki as "Kurosaki Revival (a base for a future living model)", with physical AI, entertainment/culture and urban nature as driving forces
- Candidate flagship projects: in Kokura, a walkable field (such as redesigning the station plaza and reducing lanes on Heiwa-dori), rebuilding of next-generation offices and a new city hall; in Kurosaki, redevelopment of a former large building site, reorganizing functions of a commercial complex and a full pedestrian mall on a main street
- As the direction of measures, a "private investment promotion package" would be created, citing deregulation and special zones, tax and fiscal measures for investment, effective use of public land, public investment linked to private development and administrative support. Review (change or abolition) of planned city roads to form larger blocks is given as an example
- The process: compile within this fiscal year while deepening discussion by hearing experts, private businesses and citizens at a (tentatively named) Next-Generation Town Development Concept Council (to be announced in August or September)
What to do in practice
- Check whether your owned or leased properties or sites under consideration are within about 1 km of the stations, and watch the final compilation and the content of the "private investment promotion package"
- For rebuilding or store plans, check the city's Urban Strategy Bureau announcements on urban planning (such as road reviews) and deregulation
Kitakyushu City announced a "draft" (a rough plan still under discussion) to turn the areas around Kokura and Kurosaki stations into more fun and convenient towns. The goal is to gather about JPY 1 trillion of investment from companies and others by 2043. But whether and how it will be done has not been decided yet.
- 1. Draft announcedThe city announced the draft on July 21, 2026
- 2. ListeningHear experts, companies and citizens and discuss
- 3. CompilingThe strategy is to be compiled this fiscal year
- 4. Projects start?Whether they actually happen will be decided later
Points
- This is a draft that is not decided. It will be compiled this fiscal year while listening to opinions
- The target is places within about 1 km of Kokura and Kurosaki stations, with a goal for 2043 (80 years since the city was founded)
- Ideas include redesigning the plaza in front of the station and making use of old large buildings
What the words mean
- Draft
- The first plan put forward to start a discussion
- Deregulation
- Loosening rules about buildings or how land is used, under conditions, to make things easier
- City of Kitakyushu: City of Kitakyushu: Briefing to announce the draft strategy for Kokura and Kurosaki town development (July 21, 2026)
This article previews items that are still under consideration or only requested. Whether they will be adopted, and whether the content or timing will change, is not final. Please check the official source again once a decision is made.
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