Investing in Japan
Regional Information
Hiroshima city
Accumulation of advanced technologies mostly in the automobile industry and the market consisting of 1.16 million people provides you with a variety of business opportunities.
- Your Regional Guide: Richard Dorf
Inquiry form
Business Placement Promotion Division, Economic Affairs Bureau
1-6-34 Kokutaiji-machi, Naka-ku, Hiroshima-city Hiroshima Prefecture 730-8586
TEL: +81-82-504-2241 FAX: +81-82-504-2259
- Basic Information
- Regional Profile
- Services for investment in Japan
- Available incentives
- Living environment for foreigners
- Links to Related Websites
Basic Information
| Population | 1.15 million (Male: 0.56million, Female: 0.59million) (2008) |
|---|---|
| Labor force | 0.598 million (Male: 0.47million, Female: 0.51million) (2005) |
| Area | 905km² (2007) |
| GDP | 5,015 billion yen |
| Major industries | Transport equipment, general machinery, food, metal products and primary metal |
| Developing industries | ICT and city-type service industry |
| Offices overseas | Shanghai (Run by a foundation funded by Hiroshima City, etc.) |
| Offices in Japan | Tokyo/Osaka |
| JETRO office | JETRO Hiroshima |
Regional Profile
Strength of the region's industries and economy
Hiroshima City is the center of the automobile industry led by the world-famous automobile manufacturer, Mazda. The City also has some of the largest manufacturing facilities belonging to the world-class machinery manufacturer, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, as well as Japan Steel Works, and thus advanced technologies in terms of manufacturing have accumulated here. Businesses in the manufacturing industry have been active in recent years, and the growth rate in the value of product shipments in 2006 ranked second among all cities specially designated by a government ordinance in Japan. The consumer market consisting of a population of 1.16 million is large enough and the trade area extends to the peripheral areas with Hiroshima is the core city of the Chugoku and Shikoku districts in terms of the economy, industry, administration, culture and art. This means a wealth of business opportunities for companies coming in.
In addition to the manufacturing industry, many foreign companies, represented by major brands and major distributors, have branched into the City; the market now has an established international reputation. Reflecting this superb multifaceted international business environment, an industrial park in Hiroshima Seifu-Shinto, a multipurpose new town for business, academia, and residences, is actively welcoming a number of manufacturing, distribution, and commercial companies (sold-out rate as of the end of FY 2008 is 83.3%).
Strength of the region's education/research institutes
Hiroshima City has 16 universities and six junior colleges. A number of excellent human resources have been produced from a variety of faculties.
Industry-government-academia collaboration
The Industry Cluster Projects promoted by the Chugoku Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry defines the core fields as manufacturing, IT, and biotechnology. The Bureau carries out two projects: “Project to Create Next-generation Core Industries” for internationally competitive future industries and the “Project to Establish a Recycling-based, Environmental-friendly Society” as a world-leading eco-friendly society. Hiroshima City University established a Social Liaison Center to promote more effective academic-industrial cooperation. The university actively promotes the matching of research seeds and business needs as well as collaborative and funded research, answers technical inquiries from companies, and manages intellectual assets.
Strength of the region's infrastructure
<Land>
The City is connected to the cities in the Chugoku and Shikoku districts and major cities in Japan via expressways. Within the City, urban expressways connect to the expressways, providing the best environment for a physical distribution center.
<Air>
Hiroshima Airport has five domestic routes (to Sapporo, Sendai, Narita, Tokyo, and Naha) and seven international routes (to Seoul, Shanghai, Dalian, Beijing, Taipei, Guam, and Bangkok). The airport is located approximately 40 minutes from the city center via expressway.
<Sea>
Four regular domestic container routes (to Hanshin, Tomakomai, Tokyo and Shibushi) and six international routes (to Korea, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Manila and North America)
<Railway>
Hiroshima Station of Shinkansen is located close to the center of the city, providing access to Tokyo in four hours.
Services for investment in Japan
| Menu of services | Fees charged? | Content of services |
|---|---|---|
| Providing market information | ||
| Advice on market participation | No | Consultation by an advisor from Hiroshima City Industrial Promotion Center, which is financed by Hiroshima City |
| Consulting by external experts and advisers | No | Consultation by an advisor from Hiroshima City Industrial Promotion Center, which is financed by Hiroshima City |
| Arranging appointments with potential customers and partners | No | Provided by the Industry Attraction Promotion Department. |
| Support for establishing a base | ||
| Listing of potential customers and partners | No | Provided by the Industry Attraction Promotion Department. |
| Listing of potential customers and partners | No | Provided by the Industry Attraction Promotion Department. |
| Support for establishing a base | ||
| Providing incubation facilities or other facilities | Yes | SOHO @ Hiroshima - small incubation office sponsored by the Hiroshima City Industrial Promotion Center |
| Providing incubation facilities or other facilities | No | Provided by the Industry Attraction Promotion Department. |
| Providing information on procedures for investing in Japan | No | Provided by the Industry Attraction Promotion Department. |
| Arranging the meetings needed to establish a base (real estate, manpower services) | No | Provided by the Industry Attraction Promotion Department. |
| Introduction of available properties and advice on hiring personnel | No | Provided by the Industry Attraction Promotion Department. |
| Providing information on permits and licensing procedures | No | Provided by the Industry Attraction Promotion Department. |
| Providing information on subsidy programs | No | Provided by the Industry Attraction Promotion Department. |
Support service
The one-stop service for foreign companies entering the City is provided by the Industry Attraction Promotion Department
Database of candidate partners
- Hiroshima City Industrial Technology Information
The database provides the outline of the companies located in Hiroshima City and its suburbs (manufacturers, the information industry and design offices) and their processing/production technologies
Available incentives
<Subsidy for companies purchasing land and buildings for business for the first time>
- 20% of the capital invested in the buildings, machinery and facilities (500 million yen maximum).
- Exemption from the fixed asset tax, the city planning tax, and the business facility tax imposed on the land, buildings, and depreciable property for three years (no upper limit).
- 300, 000 yen per new employee (no upper limit).
<Subsidy for companies renting land or a building for business for the first time>
- Exemption from half of the fixed asset tax and the city planning tax imposed on buildings, machinery, and facilities for three years (no upper limit).
*Both subsidy systems basically cover the whole City and all industries.
Living environment for foreigners
| Living environment | A number of international companies are located here, and many foreign tourists visit the City. The City offers a comfortable living environment for foreign residents. The Daily Life Guidebook For Foreign Residents |
|---|---|
| International schools | Municipal elementary and junior high schools give lessons in Japanese. Hiroshima International School gives lessons in English, where students from 17 nations are enrolled (as of 2007). |
| Health services catering to foreigners | In many medical institutions, foreign languages are understood. Hiroshima City Hospital can provide medical care in English, which provides highly advanced medical treatment and critical care. |
Links to Related Websites
- Hiroshima City
- Hiroshima City Business Placement
- Hiroshima City Business Placement Promotion Assistance System
- Hiroshima City Industrial Technology Information
- Hiroshima Vehicle Engineering Company
