Based on preliminary results from last October’s census, Fukuoka, with a population of 1,542,857 (as of Jan. 2016), has entered the ranks of top five designated cities by size, joining Yokohama, Osaka, Nagoya and Sapporo. Fukuoka ranked number one in Japan for the amount of population added (+68,176) and rate of increase (+4.7%). On his Facebook timeline, Mayor Takashima said, “I am fully aware of the responsibility that Fukuoka must play in Kyushu and Japan going forward, and I promise to emphasize the concept of ‘With the Kyushu’ (i.e., Fukuoka growing together with the rest of Kyushu).” Editor’s note: while most cities in Japan are coping with shrinking populations and diminishing tax bases, Fukuoka City is growing the fastest. The “secret” is getting out!
Photo: Fukuoka Showcase
