The Appeal of Shinmoji as a Logistics Base and A New Initiative

Hello, I’m Ichiki of Sync Logistics. In this issue, I’d like to share the news about our land acquisition in Shinmoji, Kitakyushu, the appeal of Shinmoji as a logistics base, and our new initiative that is currently in progress.

■The appeal of Shinmoji as a logistics base

Our company acquired 23,000 tsubo (75,900 square meters) of land in an area near Shinmoji Port’s wharf. This land has not been utilized for almost 40 years, and it was placed under competitive bidding by the owner. We unexpectedly had the opportunity to bid, and we eventually acquired it.

While the demand for logistics bases in Kyushu is high in the Hakata and Tosu areas, I believe there is also huge potential in Shinmoji, Kitakyushu. A necessary requirement in choosing a base for logistics operations is a location where people and things can move around smoothly. In this regard, Kitakyushu Airport, the only 24-hour airport in Kyushu, Kyushu Expressway that runs through Kyushu from north to south, and East Kyushu Expressway that originates in Kitakyushu City and connects Oita, Miyazaki, and Kagoshima are all easily accessible from Shinmoji, which I believe contributes to its high functionality as an industrial logistics base. 

There is also a considerable network of domestic ferries connecting Shinmoji Port to the ports of Osaka, Kobe, Nagoya, and Yokosuka. Because there is a rising groundswell to shift to marine transport as a countermeasure to the 2024 problem, a location that can flexibly and easily cater to diverse logistics needs is also very attractive in terms of future logistics services. 

In fact, there seems to be signs among government agencies that they intend to develop Kitakyushu as a logistics hub. Many companies, such as major automobile and electrical manufacturers, already have bases there. If we can further draw out the region’s potential and revitalize logistics, I believe we can help further boost Kitakyushu.

■Developing the region’s potential

We are now drawing up new businesses and services that will utilize our land in Shinmoji. Because the scale of this initiative is too huge for us to accomplish on our own, we are borrowing the wisdom and strengths of various parties including exporters, the Kyushu local government, port operators, and shipping companies. 

The investment in this land acquisition is substantial, and to be honest, I am a little anxious about the risk of failing. However, as we work on this initiative, I have learned about several subsidy programs, and connections with people who support us have continually emerged. Because of the positive opportunities and relationships we have been blessed with, I feel we are making steady progress. I feel that our work, which is uncovering society’s needs while collaborating with local stakeholders and creating highly convenient services for our clients,  is very rewarding and interesting.

What I’m envisioning will bear fruit in 1 to 2 years, and I will be glad if I can somehow help in developing the region’s potential.

I will share more details about the structure and progress of our new initiative in Shinmoji during a meeting on May 31st at RIHGA Royal Hotel Kokura. If you could attend, I would be honored if we could talk about the vision and our ideas. I’ll share the content of the meeting at a later date.

Thank you for your time.