Investing in Japan
Investment News
- Oct. 19, 2006
- Seminar Spotlighting Yokohama City to Be Held in India this October 27th
- Sep. 13, 2006
- Set-up aid for foreign companies moving into Aichi
- Sep. 13, 2006
- Hamamatsu city revises assistance scheme for attracting business
- Aug. 2, 2006
- Startup Office Established at SBSC
- Aug. 2, 2006
- Nagahama Science Park: An Industry-Academia-Government Bio-cluster on the Shores of Lake Biwa
- Aug. 2, 2006
- O-BIC Unveils FY2005 Performance and FY2006 Business Plan
- May 30, 2006
- Japan's FDI Stock Increases by 17.9% in 2005
- Jun. 26, 2006
- I-BAC serves as a new gateway to Nagoya and Aichi Prefecture
- Jun. 26, 2006
- Osaka City currently seeking entries for the business plan competition from bio-related companies
- Jun. 26, 2006
- "Updated guide to the Investment Environment in the City of Kawasaki," (English and Chinese versions) featured on the Kawasaki City website
- Jun. 20, 2006
- New Publication "Setting Up Enterprises in Japan (7th edition)" Now Available!
- Jun. 20, 2006
- Upcoming Event(July 5): Japan's New "Corporation Law" and Business Opportunities for Foreign-affiliated Companies June 12, 2006
- Jun. 20, 2006
- From our latest newsletter; "Investments from Europe can invigorate Japan's economy" (Bernhard Zepter, Ambassador, Head of Delegation, Delegation of the European Commission to Japan)
- May 26, 2006
- Hiroshima Prefectural provides subsidies worth 6 months' office rent
- May 26, 2006
- We support domestic and overseas companies starting up business in Osaka City!
- May 26, 2006
- Access to Kansai Science City (Keihanna Research City) made more convenient - Kintetsu's Keihanna Line inaugurated -
- May 9, 2006
- New Corporate Law goes into effect from May 1,2006
- May 9, 2006
- Recent Changes in the Legal and Business Environment
- Apr. 27, 2006
- Support for companies expanding into Yokohama! —Guide to foreign company support set up—
- Apr. 27, 2006
- Wakayama Pref. offers up to ¥10 billion as incentive to invite companies into the area
- Apr. 13, 2006
- New success story reports now available!
- Feb. 3, 2006
- Yokohama: Looking to expand your business or relocate your office or lab? Come to Yokohama! —Business Location Incentives for Specially Designated Areas now expanded to include 9 areas city-wide—
- Feb. 3, 2006
- Kita Umeda Knowledge Capital plan: Spring 2011, a city of the future will appear right in the middle of Osaka
Oct. 19, 2006
Seminar Spotlighting Yokohama City to Be Held in India this October 27th
Against the backdrop of India's rapid economic growth, the City of Yokohama will hold a seminar in Bangalore, India this October 27th aimed at promoting the attractiveness of Yokohama as an investment destination among Indian firms. Officials from Yokohama City and the Development Bank of Japan, as well as representatives from leading Indian firms already operating successfully in Yokohama, will speak at the event. Interested parties can learn about Yokohama's investment climate and available support for firms interested in setting up business in the attractive and modern port city.
| Date / Time | Friday, October 27th, 2006 / From 7:00 p.m. |
|---|---|
| Venue | The Taj West End Bangalore (Ballroom) Race Course Road, Bangalore-560 001, Karnataka, India TEL: (91-80) 66605660 |
| Program | I. Lectures (15 minutes each) (1) "The Business Environment in Yokohama City" by the City of Yokohama (2) "Strategies for Entering the Japanese Market" (tentative title) by the Development Bank of Japan (3) "Strategies for Doing Business in Yokohama and Breaking into the Japanese Market" (tentative title) by Wipro Technologies (4) "Yokohama from the Perspective of an Indian Company" (tentative title) presented by an Indian company based in Yokohama II. Q&A session III. Networking reception and dinner |
| Target audience | Representatives from Indian companies interested in doing business in Japan (approximately 100 participants) |
| For more information, please contact: |
City of Yokohama Business Development Division, Economic and Tourism Bureau Persons in charge: Ms. Mayumi Kaya, Ms. Rie Kojima TEL: +81-45-671-3834 FAX: +81-45-661-0692 E-mail: ke-yuchi@city.yokohama.jp |
Sep. 13, 2006
Set-up aid for foreign companies moving into Aichi
To encourage more foreign companies to set up business in Aichi prefecture, and to a further boost local industries and the regional economy, Aichi Prefecture has established a scheme to assist foreign-owned companies to venture into Aichi.
| Overview of Financial Aid | Office set-up assistance | Office rent assistance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligibility | Foreign companies preparing to open a place of business in order to venture into Aichi Prefecture (excluding Nagoya City). | Foreign companies planning to set up business in Aichi Prefecture (excluding Nagoya City) and open a business office by renting office space. | |
| Expenses covered | Costs for market feasibility and other research, interpreting and translation costs (excluding secondary entry into Aichi), permit and approval costs, corporate registration costs, staff recruiting costs, and other costs approved by the governor. | One year's office rent | |
| Eligible industries | No restrictions. | The "six growth areas": health and longevity, environment and energy, life quality, biotechnology, nanotechnology and IT. | |
| Assistance requirements | None | Office must be 100sqm or larger or company must employ ten or more full-time workers. | |
| Portion of expenses incurred covered by assistance | 1/2 | ||
| Maximum amount | 1.5 million yen (in case of secondary entry into Aichi: 1 million yen) | 3 million yen Note: Companies in the food service, retail and service industries whose main end consumers are individuals are not eligible for assistance. |
|
- For more information, please contact
- Investment and Trade Division, Department of Industry and Labor, Aichi Prefectural
Person in charge: Mr. Makoto Ichii
Tel: 052-954-6356 Fax: 052-961-7693
E-mail: makoto_ichii@pref.aichi.lg.jp
Sep. 13, 2006
Hamamatsu city revises assistance scheme for attracting business
Hamamatsu city, has revised its scheme to provide financial assistance to companies relocating to the city. Hamamatsu hopes these latest measures will be successful in attracting new companies, including foreign firms, to the city.
Major points of the revision include:
- Expanding the scope of the scheme to include a broad section of the manufacturing industry.
- Relaxation of the condition for hiring number of employees from a minimum of ten to one.
- Raising the rate of subsidy for acquiring land from 10% to 20%.
Hamamatsu has also established an incentive subsidy system that focuses on firms relocating to the "Kirari (or shining) Town" Hamakita, which the city hopes to develop into a cluster of R&D companies. Under the scheme, beneficiaries are eligible for amounts of up to three years' fixed asset tax.
- For more information, please contact
- Planning & Business Promotion Group, Commerce & Industry Division, Commerce & Industry Department, City of Hamamatsu
Person in charge: Hiroyuki Murakami
Tel: 053-457-2282 Fax: 053-457-2283
E-mail: shokok@city.hamamatsu.shizuoka.jp
Aug. 2, 2006
Startup Office Established at SBSC
Saitama International Business Support Center (SBSC)
has established a startup office, to promote the location of foreign companies in Saitama Prefecture. The startup office is intended for foreign corporations and other entities considering setting up and expanding business in Japan.
- Date of establishment: May 22, 2006
- Address: 8th Fl. Sonic City Bldg., 7-5 Sakuragi-cho 1-chome, Omiya-ku, Saitama city, Saitama prefecture, Japan (inside SBSC)
- Applicable tenants and duration of use:
- Foreign companies and foreign-capital companies: 3 months or less (may be extended up to 6 months)
- Overseas organizations and associations: 6 months or less (may be extended up to 12 months)
- Tenant fee:
Free of charge (a monthly administrative maintenance fee of 10,000yen will be charged separately.) - Number of rooms:
2 rooms (approx. 11 m2 each) equipped with desks, chairs, bookshelves, lockers, and broadband connections - Support by SBSC:
Secretarial services in English and Japanese by in-house assistants
- Provision of various professional advices and real estate information to assist the establishment of business bases in Saitama Prefecture
- Assisting the establishment of a corporation by a network of specialists (fees to be born by individuals requesting the services)
- Technological development support by a network of enterprises, research institutes, and universities in Saitama Prefecture
- Subsidies for professional services related to incorporation procedures, office rent, etc.
- For more information, please contact
- Saitama International Business Support Center (SBSC)
Tel: 048-647-4156 Fax: 048-647-4157
E-mail: sbsc@saitama-bsc.jp
Aug. 2, 2006
Nagahama Science Park: An Industry-Academia-Government Bio-cluster on the Shores of Lake Biwa
Nagahama City is located on the eastern flank of Lake Biwa, Japan's largest lake. It is a beautiful town often compared to a freshwater pearl.
Nagahama city actively encourages the cluster of local and domestic bio-related companies as the main thrust of its policies for regional revitalization.
The bio-cluster concept, of which Nagahama Science Park is a major hub, is centered on the Nagahama Institute of Bioscience and Technology, Japan's only college specializing in bio-related subjects. It features incubation centers for R&D and contributes to the creation of new industries through collaboration between industry, universities and government, and also acts to develop and offer skilled manpower within the local area.
Nagahama is also the site of the Nagahama Bio-Life Science Special Zone Plan; indeed, Shiga Prefecture is the only place in Japan to be designated under the Special Economic Promotion Zone Scheme. Nagahama City offers maximum support for bio-industry companies looking to set up business at Nagahama Science Park, offering a range of assistance which includes preferential programs during the term of the Special Zone Plan (FY2004 through FY2008).
We invite you to consider setting up business in Nagahama, a historic city sparkling with such influential names as Hideyoshi Toyotomi and Kazutoyo Yamauchi.
- For more information, please contact
- Nagahama City, Regional Economy Policy Promotion Division
Tel: 0749-65-6520
E-mail: keizai@city.nagahama.shiga.jp
Aug. 2, 2006
O-BIC Unveils FY2005 Performance and FY2006 Business Plan
The Osaka Business and Investment Center (O-BIC) (comprised of the Osaka prefectural and municipal governments, and the Osaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry; office located in the Osaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry International Division) has unveiled its overseas company attraction results for FY2005 and its business plan for FY2006.
Highlights include:
- BIC received a total of 158 inquiries in FY2005, of which 57 were investment cases, and succeeded in locating 25 companies in Osaka. Further examination shows the FY2005 results to be in line with previous trends, with Asian companies making up more than half of those that O-BIC attracted to Osaka, and with China providing the largest number of companies: eight. Meanwhile, the USA showed strong growth: O-BIC attracted only one American company to Osaka in FY2004, but the number grew to six in FY2005. By industry, O-BIC netted eight companies in its target areas of IT and biotechnology.
- Since its establishment in 2001, O-BIC has taken just five years to reach its milestone 100th successful case of attracting investment, ringing up its 109th case in FY2005.
- In FY2006, O-BIC aims to capitalize on its FY2005 success and place emphasis on attracting overseas companies in the biotech, robotics, IT and other engine industries that will help power Osaka's economic revitalization.
Further details about O-BIC's FY2005 performance and FY2006 business plan are available at the O-BIC website.
- For more information, please contact
- Osaka Business and Investment Center (O-BIC)
Person in charge: Mr. Shinji Ishikawa
Tel: 06-6944-6298 Fax: 06-6944-6293
E-mail: ishikawa@osaka.cci.or.jp
May 30, 2006
Japan's FDI Stock Increases by 17.9% in 2005
The Ministry of Finance announced that Japan's foreign direct investment(FDI) stock reached 11.9 trillion yen as of the end of 2005, a 17.9% (1.8 trillion yen) increase from the total amount as of the end of 2004. This latest figure suggests that Japan is on track to meeting the government's goal of doubling the nation's FDI stock by the end of 2006.
Source: Ministry of Finance
June 26, 2006
I-BAC serves as a new gateway to Nagoya and Aichi Prefecture
In April 2006, the Aichi-Nagoya International Business Access Center (I-BAC) was launched.
I-BAC was established through the joint efforts of Aichi Prefecture, Nagoya City, Nagoya Port Authority, and Nagoya Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and provides a one-stop service to foreign companies seeking to expand business into Nagoya and Aichi Prefecture.
Nagoya and Aichi Prefecture boast Japan's largest clustering of automotive industries, centered around Toyota; business costs in Nagoya and Aichi Prefecture are lower than those in Tokyo or Osaka, coupled with an outstanding living environment; and the region is connected to the world via Central Japan International Airport, or Centrair, Japan's first 24-hour airport with both domestic and international connections.
All corporations interested in Nagoya and Aichi Prefecture—currently Japan's most up and coming region—are encouraged to contact I-BAC.
Major services provided by I-BAC:
- Provision of incentive information
- Provision of HR information
- Provision of information on establishment of offices and factories, etc.
- For more information
- I-BAC (Aichi-Nagoya International Business Access Center)
Person in charge: Kenji Hatano
Tel: 052-223-5409 Fax: 052-223-5404
E-mail: hatano@i-bac.jp
June 26, 2006
Osaka City currently seeking entries for the business plan competition from bio-related companies
The City of Osaka will hold a business plan competition targeting domestic and foreign biotechnology-related companies interested in setting up business in Osaka. Prizewinners will be invited to exhibit their company at Bio Japan 2006 World Business Forum in Osaka, that will be held at Grand Cube Osaka (Osaka International Convention Center) from Wednesday, September 13 to Friday, September 15. Winners will also receive round-trip transportation to Osaka as well as complimentary hotel accommodation.
Eligibility for application;
Domestic and foreign companies, research institutes or universities with outstanding technologies and services in the biotechnology-related sectors, which also have specific business or market entry plans in Osaka. (Applications restricted to companies only)
Special privileges;
Round-trip transportation fees to Osaka
(Overseas companies receive round-trip airfare from their country to Osaka; domestic corporations receive round-trip Shinkansen or airplane tickets from their local areas.)
Hotel accommodation in Osaka
Invitation to exhibit in Bio Japan 2006 World Business Forum in Osaka Corporate presentations (business partnering), etc.
Method of entry;
Download entry information and application form from Osaka International Business Promotion Center's (IBPC) website, attach other necessary documents, and submit entry before Friday, July 7.
- For more information (Forum Secretariat)
- IBPC Osaka Investment Promotion Center
Persons in charge: Kikune and Mototsuji
Tel: 06-6615-7009 Fax: 06-6616-4130
E-mail: ipc@ibpcosaka.or.jp
June 26, 2006
"Updated guide to the Investment Environment in the City of Kawasaki," (English and Chinese versions) featured on the Kawasaki City website
The website introduces, in both English and Chinese, the potential and many attractions of the City of Kawasaki. These include convenient access, accumulation of industrial technologies, R&D institutions, and excellent track record of attracting incoming companies. Take a look and see why you should consider locating your business in the City of
Kawasaki.
- For more information
- City of Kawasaki, Business Development Section, Industrial Policy Department, Economic Affairs Bureau
Person in charge: Asano Satoh
Tel: 044-200-2336 Fax: 044-200-3920
E-mail: 28yuti@city.kawasaki.jp
May 26, 2006
Hiroshima Prefectural provides subsidies worth 6 months' office rent
A new program is established in Hiroshima Prefecture to subsidize office rents, further boosting the support setup.
Office rent will be subsidized for foreign corporations that are setting up their first Japanese business bases in Hiroshima Prefecture.
1. Eligibility
To receive subsidy, a company must meet the following requirements for one year after starting to rent a business office.
(1) The company carries out business activities.
(2) The rented office must have a minimum floor space of 15 sq. m.
(3) Of the employees working in the office, at least one lives in Hiroshima Prefecture.
(4) The company does not fall behind in paying their office rent.
If a Japanese corporation is to be established under a joint venture with a Japanese company, it will be eligible for subsidy if the foreign company's investment ratio exceeds one-third.
2. Amount of subsidy
Amount to cover six month' office rental (up to 1.2 million yen)
(Supplementary expenses such as public space fees (kyoeki-hi) and parking space charges will be excluded.)
- for more details: Invest in Hiroshima
- For consultations or inquiries, contact
- Hiroshima Prefectural Government, International Business Promotion Office
Person in charge: Fujii
Tel: 082-513-3383
E-mail: syokokusai@pref.hiroshima.jp
May 26, 2006
We support domestic and overseas companies starting up business in Osaka City!
—Your guide to Business Establishment Promotion Subsidy for Priority Industries—
Osaka City offers rent subsidies to companies in priority industries (*1) to open new business establishments in the city, to alleviate the companies' initial investment burdens.
Rent subsidy (basic subsidy):
Rent for leased building of up to 3 million yen will be subsidized for a company that rents building space with floor area of at least 50 sq.m., or employs five or more people. The subsidy is offered to cover first three months' rent.
Rent subsidy (special measures for large-scale establishments):
The amount of rent subsidy is increased to a maximum of 10 million yen per company in the case of large-scale business establishments that rent business space with floor area of at least 300 sq. m., or employ 30 or more people (*2).
(*1) "Priority industries" refer to industries in the following fields: medical and welfare, living and culture, information telecommunications, environment, human resources, biotechnology and nanotechnology, and robot technology.
(*2) Beginning this FY, the maximum amount of subsidy was raised from 6 million yen to 10 million yen.
- For more information, contact
- IBPC Osaka Investment Promotion Center
Person in charge: Mototsuji
Tel: 06-6615-7009 Fax: 06-6616-4130
E-mail: ipc@ibpcosaka.or.jp
May 26, 2006
Access to Kansai Science City (Keihanna Research City) made more convenient - Kintetsu's Keihanna Line inaugurated -
- With the inauguration in March 27, 2006 of Kintetsu Keihanna Line, access from the heart of Osaka to Kansai Science City, or Keihanna Research City, has been significantly improved, dramatically reducing travel time from one hour to little over thirty minutes.
- The Kansai Science City, located in the Keihanna Hills spanning the three prefectures of Osaka, Kyoto and Nara, has established a new center for culture, science, research and industries, under close collaboration among industries, universities and the government, as a pilot model city of the 21st century.
- Kansai Science City is home to over eighty research institutions, universities and other facilities that have already produced numerous cutting-edge research results including robot technology, information communications technology, and bioscience.
- As a base for creating new industries under industry-government-academia partnerships, Kansai Science City will continue to actively accommodate and promote research institutes for advanced technologies from both Japan and overseas.
- For more information, contact
- JETRO Osaka IBSC
Person in charge: Shoichi Abe
E-mail: shoichi_abe@jetro.go.jp
Tel: 06-6447-2309 Fax: 06-6447-2936
May 9, 2006
New Corporate Law goes into effect from May 1,2006
The new Corporate Law, enacted in June 2005, went into effect from May 1, 2006.
Broadly speaking, there are four areas of revision in the new Corporate Law.
- Greater ease in establishing new companies (abolition of minimum capital requirements)
- Greater flexibility of management rules in Kabushiki- kaisha ( KK ) (the Japanese equivalent of the joint-stock company or limited liability public company)
- Creation of a new corporate model (Godo Gaisha or Japanese style limited liability company (LLC))
- Increase in flexibility of corporate restructuring
For further information about the new Corporate Law, please visit the following site for a report about the new law.
There is also a brief interpretation of incorporating procedure based on the new law available in the following link.
Laws & Regulations on Setting Up Business in Japan
May 9, 2006
Recent Changes in the Legal and Business Environment
There have been some changes in the Japanese business environment recently. The following are brief descriptions of changes which might be of interest to non-Japanese businesses.
Terrestrial Digital Broadcasting for Mobile Telephones Begins
A new type television broadcasting service for mobile telephones (mobiles) has begun. Called one segment, or one seg, for short, users of one seg-compatible mobiles can now receive not only normal terrestrial digital television broadcasts, but they can also receive broadcasted still image data and text-based information such as weather forecasts and shopping guidance.
Although there have until now been mobiles that can receive television signals, the new one seg digital broadcasts now permit clear image reception regardless of whether the user is on the move or outside, while achieving small power consumption during signal reception.
For terrestrial digital broadcasts, known as integrated service digital broadcasting-terrestrial (or, ISDB-T), 6 MHz broadcast waves are divided into 13 separate bands. Of these, one segment is allotted to the new system, thus the name "one seg".
Preferential Tax System for Information Infrastructure Development
The Japanese government has announced a preferential tax system for promoting the development of information infrastructures which provide enhanced security for businesses. Businesses following the government's guidelines can select one of two choices. For equipment obtained any time from April 1, 2006 through March 31, 2008, businesses may choose when they file their income tax forms either a special depreciation of 50% or a special tax deduction of 10%, which can be applied to 70% of the acquisition cost.
When the tax write-off is used, it is estimated that the overall cost of the IT investment will substantially become 10% cheaper. It has been said that the merits of the tax write-off are greater for companies operating in the black, than would be the special depreciation. On the other hand, the special depreciation is said to be better suited to companies wishing to secure their present cash flow.
- for more information: Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (Japanese only)
Extension of Special Tax Reduction for Registration and License Taxes Related to Real-estate Registration
The special tax reduction for registration and license taxes related to real-estate registration, that was applicable from April 2003 expired at the end of March 2006. But, some tax reductions have been extended to March 2008. For example, registration of change of ownership due to purchase will be kept at 1.0% (before special tax reduction 2.0%) and registration of entrustment of ownership at 0.2% (before special tax reduction 0.4%).
- for more information: Ministry of Justice (Japanese only)
Extension of Employment Period Now Obligatory, as Part of Aging Society Countermeasures
Preparing for the shrinking of the Japanese workforce due to low fertility rate and the aging society, business owners are now obligated to establish any of the following measures: raise the age of retirement, introduce a continuing employment system, or forgo specifying a retirement age.
The raising of the retirement age will occur in stages, together with the schedule for raising the age of pension payments. From April 2013, a minimum retirement age of 65 will be required for employers.
- for more information: Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (Japanese only)
Apr. 27, 2006
Support for companies expanding into Yokohama! — Guide to foreign company support set up —
The Yokohama Industrial Development Corporation World Business Support Center (WBC) has strengthened its back-up setup for foreign companies.
1.Increase in international business advisors
A third advisor has joined the team offering consultations to overseas companies on procedures for incorporating and establishing a base when setting up in Yokohama and Japan, as well as in introducing potential companies for business talks.
2.Doubling start-up facilities
WBC has increased the number of start-up facilities within its premises for companies looking to expand into the city from two offices to four.
Offices are rent-free (but telephone, Internet, photocopying usage will be charged at cost) for a period of, in principle, four months.
Tenant companies are offered the support of the aforementioned advisors and the Yokohama Industrial Development Corporation's corporate support program.
Guide to Company Location Subsidizing System
・Targeted industry program
Yokohama provides rent subsidies to companies in specified industries (i.e., IT, biotech, video, conventions, environment, medical, welfare, high-tech and design) that are expanding into the city.
・Targeted facilities program
Yokohama provides rent subsidies to companies from outside the city that are moving into specified facilities in the city, e.g., British Industry Centre (BIC), US-Japan Technology Village Partnership (TVP), Canadian Industry & Trade Centre (CITC), German Centre for Industry and Trade (GCIT) and the FEMAC Business Center (support center for foreign companies).
- Inquiries
- Yokohama City Economic and Tourism Bureau, Location Invitation/International Economy Division
Person in charge: Kojima
Tel: 045-671-3834 Fax: 045-661-0692
E-mail: ri00-kojima@city.yokohama.jp
Apr. 27, 2006
Wakayama Pref. offers up to ¥10 billion as incentive to invite companies into the area
Wakayama Prefecture has established a location promotion incentive system for FY2006, under which companies (mainly manufacturing factories) are offered a maximum of ¥10 billion as incentive making the scheme the largest of its kind in Japan.
With the construction of expressways and highways in recent years, Wakayama's access to and from the Kyoto-Osaka-Kobe region has improved dramatically.
It is also close to Kansai International Airport, and there are direct flights to Tokyo from Shirahama Airport, too.
If you are considering building a new factory, why not take advantage of the warm climate and the honest, hardworking people of Wakayama Prefecture to make your business prosper further? Please utilize the prefectural incentive scheme.
Additionally, Wakayama is aggressively inviting information-related industries under its IHS concept. Don't miss this significant investment opportunity.
- Direct enquiries regarding incentives and location information, to
- Investment Promotions Division, Investment Promotions Bureau, Commerce, Industry and Labour Department, Wakayama
Prefectural Government
Tel: 073-441-2753 Fax: 073-422-1933
E-mail: e0622001@pref.wakayama.lg.jp
Apr. 13, 2006
New success story reports now available!
To date, examples of over 100 companies beginning operation in Japan have been posted on our Success Stories Web page. We are happy to announce that sixteen more examples of companies that have used JETRO's services have been added.
= Main points covered by the articles =
- Business activities in Japan: overview of business
- Business strategies for Japan: factors for success in Japan, areas of future focus
- JETRO's services utilized
= Business examples =
(Adobe Reader needed)
A. Proctor Group Japan, Campagnolo Japan, CNC Japan, Datamonitor Japan, Demarle Japon, dSPACE Japan, F.H. Bertling Logistics Japan, Genesys Conferencing, Lactalis Japon, Pixology Japan, ROHDE & SCHWARZ Japan, Rotex Japan, Rucoline Japan, SIGMA-C, TMD Friction Japan, MAHA Maschinenbau Haldenwang
Feb. 3, 2006
Yokohama: Looking to expand your business or relocate your office or lab? Come to Yokohama! —Business Location Incentives for Specially Designated Areas now expanded to include 9 areas city-wide—
In April 2004, Yokohama created the Business Location Incentives for Specially Designated Areas scheme, under which the city gives municipal tax relief and subsidies to companies with large-scale business plans. Incentives include:
- Municipal tax relief: Half of fixed asset tax and city planning tax rates applicable over a five-year period
- Subsidies: 10% of capital invested, up to 5 billion yen.
In addition to areas to which the scheme previously applied, i.e., the Minato Mirai 21 District and the Keihin Waterfront Area, seven areas became eligible beginning on December 28, 2005, bringing the total to nine.
The nine locations that qualify for Business Location Incentives for Specially Designated Areas are: the Minato Mirai 21 District, the Keihin Waterfront Area, the Yokohama Station District, the Kannai District, the Shin-Yokohama Station District, the Southern Waterfront Industrial Area, the Southern Industrial Area, the Northern Industrial Area and the Kohoku New Town District.
With the planned restoration of international flights to Haneda Airport in 2009, access between Yokohama and the rest of the world will be greatly improved, making the city's business environment more attractive than ever before. Don't miss this golden opportunity to expand your business into Yokohama.
- Inquiries
- Business Development Division, Yokohama City Economic Affairs Bureau
TEL: 045-671-3837 Fax: 045-661-0692
E-mail: ke-yuchi@city.yokohama.jp
Feb. 3, 2006
Kita Umeda Knowledge Capital plan: Spring 2011, a city of the future will appear right in the middle of Osaka
As part of Osaka City's urban revitalization programme (which includes plans to develop Osaka into an attractive metropolis), a comprehensive development of the area to the north of Osaka Station (the Umeda Kita yards) is steadily under way through industry-university-government partnerships. A grand opening is planned in spring 2011. At the centre of the plan is the Knowledge Capital, a knowledge creation centre that will play a core role in the complex.
The area to the north of Osaka Station is one of the finest locations in the country: sitting alongside the largest transport terminal in western Japan, through which 2.5 million people pass every day, this is 24 hectares of pure potential. Located on a seven-hectare plot slated for first stage of the development will be the Knowledge Capital. Bringing together promising, cutting-edge knowledge in the form of people, information, technology and intelligence as resources, the Knowledge Capital will serve as a centre for the creation of new knowledge, such as unprecedented technologies, products and services that will realize a richer, more comfortable and more exciting life in the future.
The knowledge created here will naturally cover such high-tech science and technology areas as robot technology, ubiquitous technology, infotech and biotech, and also include fields relevant to our daily lives like digital contents, tourism, entertainment, culture, art, design and other intangible expertise associated with sensibilities and senses ("software"). This collaboration pooling a myriad of expertise will surely increase the potential to further create new knowledge.
Not only will the Knowledge Capital function to create new knowledge, it will also offer other functions. These include exhibiting and selling knowledge created at the Knowledge Capital to users; promoting exchanges between knowledge suppliers and beneficiaries; disseminating knowledge and information initially to Asia, and eventually around the world; and using ideas and inventions from the Knowledge Capital to attract people and businesses from around the world.
We hope that the Knowledge Capital will serve as a centre to provide new business opportunities for domestic and overseas companies, and also deliver innovative new products and expertise that satisfy people's material and intellectual curiosity.
- Inquiries
- Keisuke Komori, JETRO Osaka
TEL: 06-6447-2309 FAX: 06-6447-2336
E-mail: Keisuke_Komori@jetro.go.jp
