Local News

Reflecting the strong growth in China and other Asian countries, the Port of Hakata is showing signs of recovery in international freight handled. The port was not selected to be one of the nation’s Strategic International Container Ports, but Fukuoka City’s efforts to attract new routes and build new facilities seems to be paying off. The port handled a record high 760,000 containers in 2008. While that slid to 660,000 in 2009 due to the global economic downturn, there has been a 13% year-on-year increase in the first half this year.