Local News

The Fukuoka Asian Urban Research Center conducted a survey questionnaire in February and March of residents in the coastal areas of China and the major cities of South Korea to determine the city’s name recognition and its image in those areas. The survey found a name recognition of greater than 80% for sister city Busan, South Korea, but only 60% for Guangzhou, China, with which the city has a friendship agreement. In Busan, the percentage reached 95% for women in their 20s and 30s. The center explains the disparity by saying that young people in Busan and Fukuoka City often visit the other city for shopping expeditions, so recognition is high at the citizen level. Meanwhile, the ties with Guangzhou are conducted only at the regional government level.