The Development Bank of Japan published the "Hokuriku Handbook 2025 Edition," a comprehensive regional economic report analyzing economic, industrial, and social conditions across the Hokuriku region (Toyama, Ishikawa, and Fukui prefectures).
Hokuriku Industrial Characteristics and Manufacturing Excellence
The region demonstrates manufacturing-centered industrial structure with particular strengths in chemical industry, textile industry, machinery manufacturing, and precision instruments. Chemical industry contributes 28.7% of regional manufacturing output through major facilities producing petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, and specialty chemicals, leveraging coastal location advantages and established industrial infrastructure.
Textile industry maintains historical significance with modern technological integration, producing high-quality fabrics, synthetic materials, and technical textiles for domestic and international markets. Regional textile output accounts for 12.4% of Japan's textile production value, with particular expertise in advanced fiber processing and innovative material development.
Machinery manufacturing sector encompasses precision instruments, industrial equipment, and specialized machinery production serving automotive, electronics, and industrial markets. Regional machinery output reached 2.34 trillion yen in 2024, representing 15.7% of regional manufacturing production and demonstrating strong competitive positioning in specialized equipment niches.
Economic Performance and Regional Development
Regional gross product totaled 12.8 trillion yen in 2024, with manufacturing sector contributing 34.2% of economic output, significantly above national manufacturing contribution average. Population of 2.89 million residents generates per capita income of 4.43 million yen, maintaining steady economic performance despite demographic transition challenges.
Primary sector maintains 6.8% economic contribution through advanced agriculture, fisheries operations along Japan Sea coast, and forestry activities leveraging abundant natural resources. Rice production excellence includes premium brand development and export market expansion generating added value for regional agricultural sector.
Service sector accounts for 58.9% of regional economy, including tourism services capitalizing on hot spring resorts, cultural heritage sites, and natural attractions attracting domestic and international visitors. Tourism industry generates 345 billion yen annual economic impact through accommodation, dining, transportation, and cultural experience services.
Innovation Ecosystem and Technology Development
Regional innovation capacity includes 8 universities, 45 corporate research facilities, and specialized technology development centers supporting industrial advancement and technology commercialization. Research and development investment reached 234 billion yen in 2024, with chemical and materials science research accounting for 34.7% of regional research expenditure.
Startup ecosystem development includes business incubation programs, entrepreneur support services, and venture capital access facilitating new business creation and technology-based economic diversification. Regional innovation strategy emphasizes materials science, environmental technology, and precision manufacturing advancement.
Infrastructure Investment and Connectivity
Transportation infrastructure includes Hokuriku Shinkansen extension completed in 2024, providing direct high-speed rail connectivity to Tokyo metropolitan area, reducing travel time to 2 hours 28 minutes and stimulating business development and tourism growth. Port facilities at Toyama and Kanazawa handle regional international trade requirements.
Energy infrastructure development includes nuclear power generation facilities contributing significant electricity supply to national grid, renewable energy projects leveraging wind and solar resources, and energy-intensive industrial operations supporting regional chemical and manufacturing industries.
Future Development Strategy and Economic Outlook
Long-term development strategy emphasizes leveraging manufacturing expertise, geographic advantages connecting Japan Sea and Pacific regions, and cultural heritage assets for sustainable economic growth. Strategic priorities include advanced materials development, precision manufacturing expansion, and international market access enhancement.
The handbook concludes that Hokuriku region's manufacturing excellence, innovation capacity, and strategic location advantages position it for continued economic development through specialized industrial leadership and regional collaboration enhancement.