Local News

The economic downturn is having an impact on the Kyushu manufacturing industry through a series of plant closings and consolidations. The announcement that Asahi Glass Kyushu will close its auto glass plant in Kitakyushu brings to 10 the number of factories that will, or already have, shut their doors in the region this year. Particularly hard hit is the auto industry, as Moji Customs reveals that auto exports from the region in May are down 54.4% from the year-before period.