Factory Location Survey

This page provides statistical materials by survey year for the Factory Location Survey, together with time-series tables for reviewing historical trends. For recent years, it organizes press releases, overview materials, and statistical tables; for earlier years, it organizes different types of preliminary and annual materials by survey year.

The statistical tables are divided into lists by survey year from 2025 through 2003 and time-series tables from 1974 through 2002. The statistical tables for 2020 and earlier also show regional classifications.

Starting in 2021, the survey became annual, and the individual tables were changed to a total of 57 tables. Consequently, the survey frequency and composition of the statistical tables differ between 2021 onward and 2020 and earlier.

Following revisions to the industry classifications, the content of tabulations by industry changed, and industry changes were applied retroactively in the time-series tables. In addition, some tables have missing numbers because of changes to the questionnaire structure from 2004 onward.

For 2025 through 2021, overview materials and “Go to the individual table list (57 tables in total)” are provided for each survey year. A press release is also available for 2021. The individual table list links display the list of individual tables for the relevant year and allow statistical table files to be downloaded in xlsx format.

From 2020 through 2003, the types and combinations of published materials differ by survey year, including first-half preliminary reports, annual preliminary reports, first-half materials, and annual materials. The individual table lists contain 119 tables in total from 2020 through 2017, 113 tables in total for 2016 and 2015, and 108 tables in total from 2011 through 2007, among other year-specific differences in composition. From 2014 through 2012, versions are available that include solar power and versions that exclude it.

The time-series tables compile the number of factory locations and site areas from 1974 through 2002 by industry and prefecture. The regional classifications for 2020 and earlier are Hokkaido, Northern Tohoku, Southern Tohoku, Inland Kanto, Coastal Kanto, Tokai, Hokuriku, Inland Kinki, Coastal Kinki, Sanin, Sanyo, Shikoku, Northern Kyushu, and Southern Kyushu.

From 2002 onward, the survey follows the Japan Standard Industrial Classification revised in March 2002. “Electrical machinery and equipment” was divided into “information and communications equipment” and “electronic parts and devices”; “publishing, printing, and related activities” excluded “newspaper publishing” and “publishing,” becoming “printing and related activities.” From the first half of 2008 onward, the classification revised in November 2007 and applied in April 2008 was used, and the classification was also revised from the first half of 2014 onward.

It is stated that some numerical errors were corrected in the first-half 2017 materials on page 16 and the 2022 overview materials on pages 11, 27, and 28.