Investing in Japan
Regional Information
Nara
Creating a ‘new’ and flourishing prefecture
- Your Regional Guide: Atsuki Sakamoto
Inquiry form
Business Investment Promotion Division, Commerce, Industry and Labor Department
30 Noborioji-cho, Nara-city, Nara Prefecture 630-8501
TEL: +81-742-27-8813 FAX: +81-742-27-4473
- Basic Information
- Regional Profile
- Services for investment in Japan
- Available incentives
- Living environment for foreigners
- Links to Related Websites
Basic Information
| Population | 1.41 million (Male: 0.67 million, Female: 0.74 million) (Estimated 2007 population) |
|---|---|
| Labor force | 0.93 million (Male: 0.45 million, Female: 0.48 million) |
| Area | 3,691km² （2006） |
| GDP | 3,770 billion yen (2005) |
| Major industries | Electric machine, food, metal products, general machine and plastics. |
| Developing industries | Electronic components (LCD for mobile tools and solar system-related) and machine tool |
| Offices in Japan | Tokyo |
| JETRO office | JETRO Osaka |
Regional Profile
Strength of the region's industries and economy
Many of the manufacturing industries in Nara Prefecture, such as ink stick, writing brush, Japanese paper, medicine, lacquer ware, Japanese vermicelli, sake, tea whisks, and half-split disposable chopstick manufacturers, have a long history dating back to the Edo Period (1603 to 1867) and the medieval ages. The local industry includes socks, knitted goods and other textiles, lumber, machinery and metals, plastic molding, fur and leather, and sporting goods. In addition, Nara is becoming the center of the machine tool and electric machinery/apparatuses industries with state-of-the-art technologies.
By utilizing the accomplishments of education and research and the human resources in the field of leading-edge science and technology, the Kansai Science City plays an important role in invigorating industries and nurturing research-based industries that utilize the fruits of culture, academia, and research as well as industries that support cultural, academic, and research activities. Nara Institute of Science and Technology is the nucleus of the City, promoting government-industry-academia collaboration including collaborative research with private laboratories.
Strength of the region's education/research institutes
Four of the culture and academic research zones of the Kansai Science City, which has leading-edge research and development functions, are located in Nara Prefecture and Nara Institute of Science and Technology promotes basic research in the advanced science and technology field at a high level as the core institute. The Prefecture endeavors to attract relevant private laboratories
- Takayama district: Takayama Science Town (Nara Institute of Science and Technology and Takayama Science Plaza)
- Heijo and Soraku district: Narayama Research Park
- Heijokyuato district
- Kitatahara district
Industry-government-academia collaboration
- To promote the use of Nara’s traditional and functional plant materials in industries, the food industry works with universities, research institutes, private companies, and organizations on the development of technologies of the new century to utilize functions of plants of an ancient capital Nara and aims at development of new technologies and products in the field of health food and crude drugs of plant origin.
- In the life science field, creation of a healthcare cluster is intended and a healthcare system is under development utilizing the ICT technologies accumulated in the Kansai Science City.
Strength of the region's infrastructure
Nara Prefecture is located in the center of Kii Peninsula and adjacent to the greater Chubu Area. It is connected to Osaka and Nagoya via such expressways running east-west across the prefecture as the Nishi Meihan Expressway, the Meihan National Road (freeway), and the Higashi Meihan Expressway. The Minami Hanna Toll Road is connected to Hanwa Expressway, providing convenient access from the south part of the Yamato plains to the Kansai International Airport and Osaka Port. On the other hand, the partial opening of the Keinawa Expressway running north-south through the Yamato plains dramatically enhanced the motorway network and thus further improved the access to Kyoto, Osaka and Nagoya.
<Land>
The Nishi Meihan Expressway and the Meihan National Road (freeway) are the main arteries connecting Osaka and Nagoya, providing the area with 120-minute access to Nagoya. The Second Hanna Toll Road provides people in Nara city with approximately 40-minute access to the center of Osaka. The Minami Hanna Toll Road improved the access from the Chunanwa area in Nara Prefecture to the center of Osaka and the Kansai International Airport.
<Air>
Access to two international airports are ensured: 1 hour and 20 minutes to Kansai International Airport by rail or bus and 2 hours and 10 minutes to Chubu International Airport.
<Railway>
Transportation is convenient; 30 minutes to Osaka and Kyoto, 1 hour 20 minutes to Nagoya, and 2 hours 50 minutes to Tokyo. The Nanba Line of Hanshin Electric Railway will open and mutual entry of Hanshin and Kintetsu will start in 2009. It provides direct transportation to Kobe without transfer and will provide more convenient access to Kyoto, Osaka, and Kobe.
Services for investment in Japan
| Menu of services | Fees charged? | Content of services |
|---|---|---|
| Support for establishing a base | ||
| Providing incubation facilities or other facilities | Yes | Operates two facilities of Yamato Entrepreneur Incubator within the Prefecture. |
| Introduction of available properties and advice on hiring personnel | No | Provides information about the sites inviting facilities such as industrial and research sites currently on sale. |
| Providing information on permits and licensing procedures | No | Provides support for reducing the time required for approval and license including advice about the procedure. |
Available incentives
In April 2008, Nara Prefecture approved preferential treatment to give enhanced incentives, including a new subsidy system to companies branching out into the prefecture.
- NARA Subsidy Program for Investment Promotion
Subsidizes companies building factories or laboratories in the prefecture to invite more companies into the large-scale industrial site. (3 billion yen maximum)
- NARA Financing Program for companies moving into Nara
Established a new financing system for enterprises coming into the prefecture, liaising with the Development Bank of Japan, a government-affiliated financial institution, and gives a grant for paying a fixed rate of interest on part of the loan to invite more enterprises into the prefecture.
- Preferential taxation
Reduces the enterprise tax and the real estate acquisition tax on businesses that build facilities, laboratories, or accommodation facilities in the prefecture that fulfill the given requirements. (400 million yen maximum)
Living environment for foreigners
| Living environment | The prefecture boasts an unsurpassed living environment, including low price levels, rich natural ambience with smaller number of disasters and an excellent residential environment.
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Links to Related Websites
