Kitakyushu Port Selected as a National "Circular Economy Port": One of 29 Ports Nationwide (Announced August 28, 2026)Kitakyushu Port was chosen by the country as a port for reusing things again and again
On August 28, 2026 (Reiwa 8), Kitakyushu City announced that Kitakyushu Port has been selected by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism as one of 29 "Circular Economy Ports" nationwide. Handling of recycled resources has exceeded 2 million tons in recent years and in 2025 was about four times the level when the port was designated a Recycle Port in 2002. If facilities are needed in future, national support programs are expected to be usable.
- 2002Designated as a Recycle Port
- 2025Recycled resources handled exceed 2 million tons (about four times at designation)
- August 28, 2026Selected as one of 29 national Circular Economy Ports (announced)
- From nowNational support programs expected to be usable when facilities are needed
Key points
- The selected ports are those working to build hubs for the logistics network of recycled resources and to cluster industries with advanced recycling technology for a circular economy. Kitakyushu is one of 29
- Features cited by the city: handling of recycled resources above 2 million tons (about four times the level at the time of the Recycle Port designation in 2025), port functions including bulk cargo wharves, container and ferry terminals and public quays that can handle industrial waste, and a cluster of manufacturing and recycling industries
- The city says further use of recycled resources is expected as steelmakers shift to electric furnaces
- As benefits, besides MLIT support for storage facilities, support by the Ministry of the Environment for cargo-handling equipment for recycled resources is planned. National support programs are expected to be usable for future facilities
What to do in practice
- If you plan storage or cargo-handling facilities for recycled resources, or a new recycling business, ask the city's Port and Airport Bureau Planning Division whether it may qualify for national support
- Watch the city's announcements on logistics and land use around the port
A system that reuses things that would become trash as materials is called a "circular economy". Kitakyushu Port became one of 29 ports chosen by the national government from across Japan, because it is strong as a port where used things arrive by ship.
- 1. Things gatherIt handles over 2 million tons of recycling materials
- 2. Port facilitiesIt has quays and terminals for handling cargo
- 3. Factories nearbyMany recycling and manufacturing companies are in the city
- 4. National supportSupport is expected to be usable when facilities are built
Points
- Kitakyushu Port became one of 29 ports chosen by the country
- The amount of recycling materials it handles is over 2 million tons a year
- When the port gets new facilities, it is expected to receive support from the country
What the words mean
- Circular economy
- A system that does not throw things away but collects, repairs or turns them into materials and uses them again and again
- Recycled resources
- Things that can be used again as materials
- City of Kitakyushu: City of Kitakyushu: Kitakyushu Port selected as a national "Circular Economy Port" (Aug. 28, 2026)
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