Fukuoka

Fukuoka City is the "growth city." Fukuoka City's population is increasing (2024, about 1.6 million). Expected to reach 1.7 million by 2040. Fukuoka is Japan's only major city with continuously growing population. Why? Young people gather. From all over Kyushu, from all over Japan. Many Fukuoka residents are in their 20s. Attending university. Looking for jobs. For Fukuoka residents, the "future" is bright. Population increases. Economy grows. But Fukuoka has no circuit. The nearest circuit is Autopolis (Oita Prefecture, about 120km, about 2 hours). If Fukuoka residents want to do motorsport, they need to leave the prefecture. Fuji Speedway is about 1,100km away (about 12 hours). Suzuka Circuit is about 750km away (about 9 hours). For Fukuoka residents, motorsport is a "distant world." Fukuoka is Kyushu's largest city. But Kyushu is at the edge of Japan. Far from Honshu. For Fukuoka residents, the "center" is far. About 1,100km to Tokyo. About 600km to Osaka. Fukuoka residents are "growing" but far from "Japan's center." The center of motorsport is also far. Young people gather in Fukuoka. There's energy. But no place to direct that energy toward "cars." Fukuoka residents look to the "future." But that future doesn't include "motorsport."