JETRO Topics

Introducing allures of Kyushu to design professionals from Singapore

Industrial tourism creates various business opportunities

July 2015

JETRO invited key figures in the design field from Singapore to Saga Prefecture in March to introduce a package of information about local “monozukuri” and tourism resources. This “industrial tourism” program has generated tangibjavascript:pbMainDialog.open("admin-application-dialog","/admin/application.php",%20{%20width:%20980,%20closeButton:%20"%E9%96%89%E3%81%98%E3%82%8B"%20})le results such as exports from Japan to Singapore, collaboration with Singapore toward development of new products, coverage in leading newspapers in this country, and a study tour to Kyushu for Singaporean students learning industrial design.

Introducing package of allures of Saga

In line with the Cool Japan policy to promote industrial attractions of Japan, JETRO launched a project under the theme of “industrial tourism”. As a program of this project, JETRO invited key professionals in the design field including designers, buyers, journalists and educators from Singapore to Saga Prefecture.

Design tourism in March
(Visit to pottery)

Design tourism in March
(Promotion of tea at exchange event)

Design tourism in March
(Courtesy call on Saga Governor)

Participants invited from Singapore visited manufacturers of ceramics, furniture, sake and tea and service providers such as hot spring inns and select shops, while also getting to enjoy the sights of the historical townscape. They also exchanged views with local people involved in these industries.

Spreading effects such as acceptance of training course for Singapore students

This program has generated tangible results including a series of stories on Saga in a leading Singapore newspaper and conclusion of new contracts. Examples of new business having started as a result of this program include exports of ceramics for select shops in Singapore and development of new products through collaboration between designers in Singapore and manufacturers in Saga. A program participant who is in the process of establishing a large public facility in Singapore decided to sell Ureshino tea at this facility to be opened in the coming autumn.

A designer who also teaches at the National University of Singapore (NUS), an educational institution producing many prominent graduates, recommended Saga as a destination for the study tour of the industrial design faculty in the NUS. In response to this recommendation, JETRO offices in Saga, Kitakyushu and Fukuoka arranged a training program together with related local governments. This study tour was conducted in July.