What is happening at the forefront of industrial land development? Roundtable with a Japan Industrial Location Center executive director, a University of Tokyo associate professor and a Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry councillor

Industrial land that attracts investment to local areas is positioned as important infrastructure linked to economic growth, job creation and supply chain resilience. The roundtable covered current challenges and future initiatives. The participants were Executive Director Atsuko Ito (伊藤敦子) of the Japan Industrial Location Center, Associate Professor Natsuki Kamakura (鎌倉夏来) of the University of Tokyo, and Senior Councillor for Policy Planning Hidemasa Nishiyama (西山英将) of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.

As domestic investment has picked up, industrial land sales have progressed and shortages have become apparent. A survey by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry found that large factory sites of 2 ha or more accounted for 70% of the total, against a backdrop of recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, the development of logistics hubs and increased semiconductor-related investment. The participants pointed to the need to achieve both speed and scale.

Points requiring attention from local governments include formulating regional strategies, clarifying the purpose of land development, public-private partnerships, use of private-sector developers, and a long-term vision with continuous improvement. Government support includes promoting development through legal amendments, with emphasis placed on using the Japan Industrial Location Center and the Organization for Small & Medium Enterprises and Regional Innovation, JAPAN as support institutions providing ongoing assistance.

Future challenges include developing ready-made industrial sites, strengthening public-private partnerships and ensuring alignment with regional industrial strategies. Sustainable regional growth through cooperation among local governments, companies and educational institutions is expected.