Local News

Fukuoka City Mayor Soichiro Takashima announced that the municipal children’s hospital will be moved to Island City, the artificial island in Higashi Ward, in accordance with initial plans. The hospital is expected to open in October 2014. Mayor Takashima cited as one of the reasons for the move the need for more space to provide enhanced services. The city’s medical association is thinking of calling for a new hospital with a pediatrics ward to be built on the site of the existing hospital because they are concerned the move will contribute to the hollowing out of regional medical services.