Kyushu has an area of 42,180 km2, accounting for 11.2% of Japan’s total area, and a population of 13.320million people, 10.6% of Japan’s total population. The gross regional product of Kyushu in FY2005 was 392.9 billion U.S. dollars, which accounted for 8.6% of Japan’s gross domestic product (GDP). Comparing the gross regional product of Kyushu with the GDP of countries throughout the world, Kyushu’s was more than that of Belgium, which ranked the 17th in the world. The value of manufacturing shipment of Kyushu in FY2006 was 21.18 trillion yen, of which the automotive and integrated circuit (IC) industries occupy a large portion. The Economic Scale of Kyushu Compared to Other Various Countries (Sources)Cabinet Office: ‘Annual Report on Prefectural Accounts (2005)' Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications ‘World Data (2008.)' 'Basic Resident Register (2006)' inistry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport: ‘Survey of Area of Japanese Prefectures, Cities, Wards, Town and Villages (2006)' The gross regional product of the Kyushu region is converted to U.S. dollars at the average rate in FY2005 (US$1 = 113.26 yen) The Value of Manufacturing Shipment of Kyushu’s Main Industries