Chiba Prefecture, where our Bank’s operations are based, has a well-balanced industrial structure, with agriculture,
fisheries, industry, and commerce each among the best in Japan. In addition to a net population influx and further development of transportation infrastructure, the rich natural environment, including the sea, is a tourism resource, and the area has high potential for further development and growth in the future.

With a population of approximately 6.27 million, Chiba Prefecture is the sixth most populous prefecture in Japan, and ranks third in terms of the net number of new residents moving in from other prefectures in Japan. In addition to being blessed with abundant nature despite being situated in the greater metropolitan Tokyo area, Chiba Prefecture is characterized by its easy access to transportation, which has led to an increase in the number of young people, especially those raising children, moving into the area.

1st	Kanagawa	28,922
2nd	Saitama	22,479
3rd	Chiba	18,225
4th	Tokyo	10,815
5th	Fukuoka	7,691

With its mild climate and the large geographical area, it occupies within the major economic consumption zone centering on greater metropolitan Tokyo, Chiba is among the top-ranked prefectures in Japan in terms of agricultural output and marine fisheries catch. In addition to its manufacturing industry in waterfront areas, its transportation infrastructure such as expressways and rail networks are well developed, making the area increasingly attractive as a factory location, forming a well-balanced industrial structure.

• 

  Agricultural
  output value

  JPY385.3billion

  4th^＊1

• 

  Marine
  fisheries catch

  105,000tons

  7th^＊2

• 

  Manufactured
  goods value

  JPY12.5trillion

  8th^＊3

• 

  Annual
  merchandise
  sales

  JPY12.5trillion

  9th^＊4

• 

  Number of small
  to medium-sized
  enterprises

  120,000

  9th^＊5

• 

  Entry rate^*

  4.8%

  5th^＊6

• 

  Total trade
  by port

  JPY30.7trillion

  1st^＊7

• 

  Income of
  prefectural
  residents

  JPY19.4trillion

  6th^＊8

Sources:

• *1.Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, “Agricultural Output and Agricultural Income Produced, 2020”
• *2.Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, “Fisheries and Aquaculture Production Statistics, 2021”
• *3.Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, “Survey of Industrial Statistics, 2020“
• *4.Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, “Economic Census (Wholesale and Retail Trade), 2016”
• *5.Small and Medium Enterprise Agency, “Number of Enterprises, Permanent Employees, and Workers by Prefecture and Major City, 2016”
• *6.Small and Medium Enterprise Agency, “2021 White Paper on Small Enterprises in Japan”
• *7.Total value of exports and imports, from Trade Statistics 2020, Ministry of Finance (The figures for Chiba Prefecture comprise the total of Narita
  International Airport, Chiba Port, and Kisarazu Port.)
• *8.Cabinet Office, Government of Japan, “Prefectural Accounts for Fiscal Year 2008
• *Entry rate :Number of places of business that newly established employment relationships during the fiscal year/comparable number as of the end of the previous fiscal year.

Given Chiba’s net population influx, industrial structure and transportation infrastructure, officially assessed land values in the prefecture continue to rise in all categories.