With Tokyo located in it, the Kanto region is considered to be the main engine of Japan's economy.

Because of its large accumulation of excellent businesses and human resources and the world's top level scientific technology, research functions, advanced manufacturing technology and specialised skills, the Kanto region acts as Japan’s launch pad for new businesses and industries. [1]

Kanto accounts for 39.8% of Japan's total GDP (2012) [2]


08 Ibaraki Prefecture

Long-established industries: agriculture, fisheries, manufacturing industries, IT, electronic industry, heavy industry (chemical industry, iron and steel, machinery) light industry (food and beverages, plastics, ceramics). Growing industries: new energy-related industries, energy saving-related industries, environment/recycling-related industries.

09 Tochigi Prefecture

Long-established industries: automobiles, aircraft, medical components and pharmaceuticals, and other machines used in industry, high-tech industries, agriculture, traditional industries.

10 Gunma Prefecture

Long-established industries: transportation machinery, machinery, foodstuffs, electric equipment, agriculture.

11 Saitama Prefecture

Long-established industries: transport equipment, chemicals, food products, information and communication equipment, metal products.

12 Chiba Prefecture

Long-established industries: petroleum industry, chemicals industry, steel industry, processing and assembly industries, food products, agriculture, fisheries, tourism-related industries.

13 Tokyo Metropolis

Long-established industries: information and communication industries, wholesale and retail trade, finance and insurance industry, eating and drinking services, construction, manufacturing industries, R&D.

14 Kanagawa Prefecture

Long-established industries: transport equipment, general equipment, chemicals, food products, petroleum products, biotechnology, ICT.


Sources and footnotes

[1] http://www.kanto.meti.go.jp/data/english/index.html 

Picture: Lake Chuzenji and Kegon Waterfall, Nikko,Tochigi Prefecture
Picture copyright: Wikipedia under the GNU Free Documentation License
Latest update: April 2016