The Chugoku Region is located in the western part of Japan, and has a population of approximately 7.8 million people. Its area is approximately 32,000km², about the size of the country of Belgium.
Expressways run vertically and horizontally throughout the region, strengthening ties both within the region and with neighboring regions. There are airports in each prefecture, providing easy access not only to Tokyo and other domestic locations but to overseas destinations as well.
Industries located in the region include manufacturing, particularly the automotive and electronics industries, as well as steel, chemical, and other materials industries. In the future, efforts will be made to improve the technical capabilities of existing industries and to promote original research and development. Efforts will also be made to develop a more advanced technology industries to the region and opening up new fields of business.

Major Prefectural Indexes

	Total Area (km2)	Population (1000s)	Values Shipped Manufactured Products(100 millions yen)
Chugoku region	31,916	7,732	198,264
Tottori Pref.	3,507	613	10,258
Shimane Pref.	6,708	762	10,034
Okayama Pref.	7,113	1,951	62,895
Hiroshima Pref.	8,478	2,879	65,563
Yamaguchi Pref.	6,111	1,528	49,513

Sources:
- Total Area: "Survey of Prefecture, City, Distinct, Town, and Village Land Areas ," 2004, Geographical Survey Institute
- Population and general households: "Census Report," 2000, Ministry of Public Management, Home Affairs, Posts and Telecommunications
- Value of shipped manufactured products: "Cenesus of Manufacturers ,"Report by Industries [Overview] (establishments with 4 or more employees), 2003, Ministry of International Trade and Industry