A report analyzing corporate capital investment trends in the Chugoku region.
The survey was conducted with a deadline of July 3, 2025, targeting companies headquartered in the Chugoku region (Tottori, Shimane, Okayama, Hiroshima, and Yamaguchi prefectures) and companies outside the region investing in the Chugoku region, specifically private companies with capital of 100 million yen or more, conducting comprehensive capital investment surveys. The survey method used postal and web-based questionnaire formats, conducting detailed data collection on 2024 fiscal year capital investment results and 2025 fiscal year capital investment plans.
Reflecting the industrial structure and geographical characteristics of the Chugoku region, investment trends were analyzed in major fields including manufacturing, agriculture, forestry and fisheries, tourism, and logistics. Particularly, attracting attention are capital investments for industrial promotion utilizing functions as the Seto Inland Sea industrial area and regional characteristics of the Japan Sea side, with confirmation of progress in regional competitiveness enhancement and expansion into new growth fields.
In manufacturing fields, capital investment is active in steel, chemical, automotive-related industries, shipbuilding, and electrical and electronic equipment manufacturing, with efforts toward sophistication of existing industries and competitiveness enhancement through new technology introduction. Additionally, reports show significant increases in investment toward introduction of environmentally responsive technologies, energy-saving equipment updates, and productivity improvement using digital technology.
In energy and environment-related fields, investment projects are progressing in renewable energy facility construction, hydrogen energy-related technology demonstration experiments, and environmental recycling facility development, confirming progress in infrastructure development toward sustainable industrial development.
In tourism, investment is planned in tourism facility development utilizing World Heritage sites and natural landscapes, hot spring area modernization, and sports and cultural facility construction, confirming efforts toward expanding exchange population and improving regional brands.
Regional economic ripple effects are expected including employment creation effects from capital investment, strengthening regional supply chains, promoting technological innovation, and supporting young people's regional retention, demonstrating important contributions to population decline countermeasures and regional revitalization in the Chugoku region.
The article evaluates this as an important indicator of development strategies utilizing the industrial clustering and geographical advantages of the Chugoku region, providing valuable information for regional economic policy formulation and corporate strategic investment decisions.