Investing in Japan
Regional Information
Saga
Saga Prefecture, Kyushu Crossroads Bordering Asia, Meeting the Needs of Customers Interested in Building New Plants, Other Facilities
- Your Regional Guide: Kenji Kinoshita
Inquiry form
Corporate Location Promotion Division, Saga Prefectural Government
1-1-59 Jonai, Saga-city, Saga Prefecture 840-8570
TEL: +81-952-25-7097 FAX: +81-952-25-7384
- Basic Information
- Regional Profile
- Available incentives
- Living environment for foreigners
- Links to Related Websites
Basic Information
| Population | 0.862 million (Male: 0.406 million, Female: 0.456 million) (2006) |
|---|---|
| Labor force | 0.449 million (Male: 0.249 million, Female: 0.200 million) (2005) |
| Area | 2,440km² (2005) |
| GDP | 2,880 billion yen (2004) |
| Major industries | Food/beverage products, electrical machinery, general machinery and equipment, metal products and chemicals |
| Developing industries | Distribution, and transport machinery and equipment |
| Offices in Japan | Tokyo/Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture |
| JETRO office | JETRO Fukuoka |
Regional Profile
Strength of the region's industries and economy
Saga Prefecture features an even balance of companies from various different sectors that have set up operations there. The mix includes processing and assembly companies from the electric machinery, general machinery and other industries, primary materials companies including chemicals, metal products and other fields, producers from the food and beverage and other sectors and other firms. Saga Prefecture is located in a key part of northern Kyushu that places it geographically closest to Asia, enabling it to support global corporate strategies.
Strength of the region's education/research institutes
Operating in Saga Prefecture is the Kyushu Synchrotron Light Research Center (which can be utilized for development in life sciences, new materials, etc.); the Saga University Institute of Ocean Energy (promoting science and technology pertaining to ocean energy); the Kyushu Center of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (an independent administrative agency involved in research into micro- and nano-space technology and other fields); and other core research facilities. In terms of its educational institutions, Saga Prefecture is characterized by a heavy presence of industrial, information and other engineering related study courses at the college and high school level alike. The prefecture’s IT-oriented vocational schools are also well developed, and turn out young technicians rich in creativity who are well trained and positioned to contribute to the Kyushu region as a thriving “techno island.”
Strength of the region's infrastructure
Saga Prefecture is located at the northwestern part of Kyushu, while being blessed with a mild climate and few natural disasters. It also occupies a key hub where many expressways serving Kyushu intersect, enabling the Chugoku region of Japan to be reached from all parts of Kyushu within 3 hours. From Saga meanwhile, Seoul is only a 70-minute flight away, with flying time to Shanghai 90 minutes. In this way, Saga Prefecture occupies a strategic geographical point in Kyushu that places it closer to Asian destinations than any other prefecture on the island.
<Land>
Tosu Junction (Tosu JCT) is the intersection between the Kyushu Expressway, which cuts across Kyushu from north to south, and the Nagasaki-Oita Expressway, which runs from east to west. This provides superior convenience.
Construction is progressing rapidly on the Western Kyushu Expressway, which will link the northwestern part of Saga Prefecture with Fukuoka City. Efforts are underway to build central transportation facilities for Kyushu in the future.
<Air>
In Saga Prefecture, only a short travel time is required to Ariake Saga Airport, Fukuoka Airport, or Nagasaki Airport. Travelers can select from among these three airports.
<Sea>
Since ancient times, northwestern Saga Prefecture has served as a gateway for continental culture.Today, Karatsu Port and Imari Port have been developed as major ports and become international trading ports.
<Railway>
Saga Prefecture has outstanding transportation access, well suited to the age of high-speed distribution. Tosu City is a hub of railroad transportation, situated at the intersection of the JR Kagoshima Main Line, Nagasaki Main Line, and Kyudai Main Line and Tosu Freight Terminal is well-developed. Transport services will be further improved when the Kyushu Shinkansen Line's Kagoshima Route and Western-Kyushu Route are completed.
Foreign company(s) operating in the industry
Although only one foreign company has advanced operations to Saga Prefecture to date, the intent is to continue to use PR for Saga’s close proximity to Asia and other merits to attract companies studying possible advances to Japan from here on as well.
Available incentives
Incentive program for business establishment
<Subsidies to promote the establishment of factories, etc>
Maximum Amount: From 50 million yen to 3 billion yen, depending on the relevant conditions
<Subsidies to promote the establishment of business support service industry>
Maximum Amount: From 30 million yen to 500 million yen, depending on the type of business
<Financing for business establishment>
Maximum Amount: 200 million yen (or 500 million yen with special approval) for the manufacturing industry, warehousing industry, experiment and research facilities, etc.
300 million yen (or 600 million yen with special approval) for the high-tech industry, etc.
<Special zone for business promotion>
Eligible businesses are exempted from the prefecture's business tax and fixed asset tax for five years, then pay only half of the regular amounts for the next five years; and they are exempted from real estate acquisition tax (as an optional alternative to subsidies).
※Some municipalities also offer incentives such as subsidies or a five-year exemption plus five-year reduction in fixed-asset tax.
Living environment for foreigners
| Living environment | Saga International Exchange Association |
|---|
Links to Related Websites
- Saga Prefectural Government
- Guide for Business Investment in SAGA Pref.
- Saga Prefecture International Relations Association
