The Location of Tokushima Prefecture

Tokushima Prefecture is located on the eastern side of Shikoku, facing the Pacific Ocean. It is connected to Awaji Island in Hyogo Prefecture by the Great Naruto Bridge and serves as an important gateway to Shikoku. The prefecture is mostly mountainous, with around 80% of its land area covered by mountains, many of which exceed 1,000 meters in height.
Tokushima is blessed with abundant natural beauty, including the sea, rivers, and mountains, offering diverse landscapes and a variety of activities that change with the seasons. Popular attractions include the Awa Odori (a traditional dance), the Naruto whirlpools, and Mt. Tsurugi.
With a mild climate, Tokushima is known for its agricultural products such as sweet potatoes (Naruto Kintoki) and sudachi (a type of citrus). The prefecture also has a balanced approach to livestock farming, forestry, and fishing. In industry, Tokushima is home to large factories producing pharmaceuticals, LEDs, and lithium-ion batteries, and machinery and furniture manufacturing are also key local industries.

Sudachi, a small, tangy citrus used in Japanese cuisine.

Like other prefectures, Tokushima is facing challenges related to a declining birthrate and an aging population, which is expected to lead to labor shortages. The number of foreign workers in Tokushima is just under 5,000, with the majority coming from Vietnam and China. Around 40% of these workers are employed in manufacturing, while others work in agriculture, forestry, wholesale and retail industries.
In terms of residency status, over 50% of these foreign workers are technical interns, making this the largest group. This is followed by those with residency based on familial or personal ties, who make up just under 20%, and workers in specialized or technical fields, accounting for about 10%. These foreign workers play an important role in supporting Tokushima’s labor market across various sectors.