On May 27, Fukuoka City began granting “Incubated in Fukuoka” certification logos to companies that are operating, or have operated, in low-rent incubator spaces for entrepreneurs. The aim is to boost the credibility of venture companies and provide support for their expansion. Fukuoka City is the first designated city in Japan to adopt this kind of certification scheme. The City operates three incubators, including one inside the Fukuoka Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Hakata Ward, where entrepreneurs can rent office space for three to five years provided they pass a screening. There are 33 companies using the incubators and 134 “alumni” companies that are still in business. The idea stems from a meeting held in August 2011 between Mayor Soichiro Takashima and the incubator alumni. Designs were solicited from the alumni companies, and the winner was Kento Yoshio, the owner of a design firm in Nishi Ward. Source: Nishinippon Shimbun, May 28
