Guide to Shizuoka

Manufacturing industries in Shizuoka enjoy a harmonious coexistence with nature. Shizuoka has a population of approximately 3.8 million, which is the 10th largest in Japan, but has been ranked 3rd in terms of the value of industrial product shipments. This proves that the secondary sector in Shizuoka is surprisingly active for its population size. The share of manufacturing industries in gross prefectural product was 36.2% in fiscal 2003, which greatly exceeded the national average of 20.9%.

Total population by prefecture (2005)

	Value of industrial product shipments (2004)

Share of manufacturing industries in gross prefectural product (2003)
Gross prefectural product 15,747.6 (in billions of yen)

What has made Shizuoka nationally known and successful in the secondary sector? It is the spirit of Yaramaika or “can do" attitude; a creative disposition unique to western Shizuoka to keep trying anything positively - to innovate. This spirit of entrepreneurship and enthusiasm for challenges gave birth to the global success stories of companies such as Honda and Yamaha. Mr. Sakichi Toyoda, founder of the first company in the Toyota Group, was also born and raised in western Shizuoka, and was brought up with the same “can do" attitude.

As shown in a survey on factory location trends in Japan conducted by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Shizuoka has ranked top in terms of the number and size of plant sites newly acquired for the last several years. They have been attracted by the business opportunities available as a result of the success of the established core industries and the “can do" attitude that has afforded such success.