Kyushu

Lore & Background

In the 8th-century Taihō Code reforms, Dazaifu was established as a special administrative term for the region. There is a theory that Kyushu was in ancient times home to its own independent dynasty, where a unique, southern-influenced culture and tradition distinct from that of Honshu flourished. The name Kyūshū comes from the nine ancient provinces of Saikaidō situated on the island: Chikuzen, Chikugo, Hizen, Higo, Buzen, Bungo, Hyūga, Ōsumi, and Satsuma.

Reader's Guide

Kyushu's economy accounts for approximately 10% of Japan's total economic output, making it the fourth largest economic region in Japan. It has a well-balanced industrial structure, with major production in agriculture, automobiles, semiconductors, and healthcare. Kyushu is noted for various types of porcelain, including Arita, Imari, Satsuma, and Karatsu. The island hosts the Tanegashima Space Center, the largest rocket-launch complex in Japan. Politically, Kyushu is described as a stronghold of the Liberal Democratic Party. Kyushu has two World Natural Heritage sites: Yakushima and a group of islands including Amami-Ōshima, Tokunoshima, northern Okinawa, and Iriomote.

Did You Know?

• Kyushu is the 37th largest island in the world, slightly larger than Taiwan.
• The island's name comes from nine ancient provinces: Chikuzen, Chikugo, Hizen, Higo, Buzen, Bungo, Hyūga, Ōsumi, and Satsuma.