During the period of steep economic growth in Japan, while the country’s industrial structure shifted from heavy industry to processing-and-assembly industry and the main energy from coal to oil, Kyushu's economy fell behind, resulting in a larger income gap with major cosmopolitan areas and consequently a massive outflow of population.
　This “fear that only Kyushu might be left behind and the sense of crisis that unorganized efforts by individual companies alone would not be enough to develop Kyushu” (Kiyoshi Kawarabayashi, Ichigen Sanryu) prompted the business communities in Kyushu and Yamaguchi to come together, and the Kyushu Economic Federation was established in April 1961.
The Federation has since been addressing various issues such as the development of infrastructure, the advancement of industries in Kyushu, the promotion of international exchanges and the decentralization reform, in response to the changes in the times, and has made steady achievements.

Achievements

High-growth period （Foundation of Kyukeiren）

Conducted request/demand activities, with the highest priorities given to the promotion of infrastructure development in Kyushu, which lagged behind.

• ・In 1971, the first stretch of Kyushu Longitudinal Expressway opened between Kumamoto and Ueki. The Expressway was then expanded in phases.
• ・In 1975, the Sanyo Shinkansen line was opened up to Hakata.

Proposed the creation of “National University of Industrial Art” (tentative title), which would serve as a center for the promotion of academia and culture.

• ・In 1968, “Kyushu Institute of Design,” a national university, opened.

Attracted automobile industries

The globalization age (1985～)

In order to support the period of full-fledged globalization following the Plaza Accord, formed various international councils and exchanged opinions regarding various issues.

• ・In 1991, the Kyushu-China Industrial Technology Council was formed. (Meets annually.)
• ・In 1993, the Kyushu-Korea Economic Exchange Council was formed. (Meets annually.)
• ・In 2001, the Pan-Yellow Sea Economic & Technological Exchange Council was formed. (Meets annually.)

Proposed the formation of a broad, self-sustaining economic bloc that is open to Asia.

The decentralization age (Today)

Promotes Kyushu’s self-sustaining development strategies amid the movements towards “state to local” and “government to public.”

• ・In 2002, proposed “Kyushu area strategies for the 21st century.”
• ・In 2003, the Kyushu Area Strategy Council was formed. (Kyushu Governors' Association + 4 local business organizations)
• ・In 2005, the Kyushu Tourism Promotion Organization was formed. (Kyushu’s 7 prefectures + local business communities)
• ・In 2008, devised a “Kyushu model for the regional system.”