Investing in Japan
Regional Information
Saitama
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Saitama International Business Support Center
Sonic City Bldg. 8F, 1-7-5 Sakuragi-cho, Omiya Ward, Saitama-city, Saitama Prefecture 330-8669
TEL: +81-48-647-4156 FAX: +81-48-647-4157
- Basic Information
- Regional Profile
- Services for investment in Japan
- Available incentives
- Living environment for foreigners
- Links to Related Websites
Basic Information
| Population | 7.12 million （2008) |
|---|---|
| Labor force | 4.94 million （2008) |
| Area | 3,797km² (2005） |
| GDP | 20,651 billion yen (2005) |
| Major industries | Electrical machinery, transport equipment, chemicals, general machinery, food products. |
| Developing industries | Environmental fields, information and communication/image-related fields, medical /social welfare fields, biotechnology fields, new manufacturing technology field, logistics/lifestyle, and cultural fields |
| JETRO office | JETRO Headquarters, Tokyo |
Regional Profile
Strength of the region's industries and economy
There are about 15,000 manufacturing business locations in Saitama prefecture, and the prefecture ranks 6th in Japan in the value of manufactured goods shipped. Diverse industries with an accumulation of sophisticated technology flourish in the prefecture, including the metal casting and mould making industries of Kawaguchi City and the optical device and precision machinery industries of the city of Saitama. Production in the prefecture totals 20.6509 trillion yen (as of 2005), the 5th largest amount in Japan and a figure 1.5% higher than in the previous fiscal year. It is located in the middle of an immense market. The population of the prefecture is over 7 million, and it is located in the middle of the National Capital Region, home to about 40 million people, equivalent to a third of the Japanese population.
Strength of the region's education/research institutes
The international research facility known as RIKEN, and the Saitama Industrial Technology Center (SAITEC), an institution where consortia of industry, academia, and government conduct joint research, are only two among more than 250 research institutions located in Saitama. Furthermore, 60 universities have campuses in Saitama, including Saitama University, Waseda University, and Tokyo Denki University. Consortia of industry, academia, and government make use of a wealth of human resources trained in sophisticated technology to create new technologies and new industries.
Industry-government-academia collaboration
<Sites of Major Japanese Testing and Research Institutions and Universities>
- A concentration of intellectual infrastructure
The prefecture has a concentration of more than 300 testing and research institutions and universities, so that industries are enlivened by sophisticated technology and intellectual power.
- RIKEN
RIKEN, one of the world’s preeminent research institutions, and Saitama prefecture have entered into a comprehensive cooperative agreement in order to form consortia of industry, academia, and government, create new industries, build up and improve the research environment, and intensify and expand tie-ups and cooperation in a variety of fields.
- Saitama Industrial Technology Center (SAITEC)
The Center not only supports companies from a technological point of view but also promotes joint research between universities and companies.
Strength of the region's infrastructure
The network of expressways includes the Joban, Tohoku, and Kan-etsu Expressways and the Metropolitan Expressway running north and south, and the Tokyo Outer Ring Road and Metropolitan Inter-City Expressway running east and west. The rail network centering on Omiya Station, a hub of transportation for the Tohoku and Joshinetsu regions, is served by 24 rail lines, including the Tohoku, Joetsu, Yamagata, Akita, and Nagano Shinkansens. As one of the most important rail network in eastern Japan, it is being continually expanded.
<Land>
<Expressways> The Tohoku, Kan-etsu, and Joban Expressways, which extend all over eastern Japan, are linked by the Tokyo Outer Ring Road in Saitama prefecture, which has become a hub of highway transportation. Completion of the Metropolitan Inter-City Expressway will link Saitama prefecture with Yokohama, Narita, and other major cities with ports or airports, as well as with the Tomei and Chuo Expressways, providing easy interactions with overseas countries and with the Kansai or Chubu regions.
<Railway>
<Shinkansen> The Tohoku, Joetsu, and Nagano Shinkansen meet up at Omiya Station and extend all over eastern Japan. With a 25-minute ride to Tokyo Station, a passenger can transfer to the Tokaido or Sanyo Shinkansen.
<Conventional rail lines> A well-developed network of rail lines connects the prefecture with central Tokyo, with trains coming and going at frequent intervals on several lines. In addition, the TSUKUBA EXPRESS went into operation in August 2005. It passes through Saitama prefecture as it links central Tokyo to Tsukuba Science City.
Foreign company(s) operating in the industry
| Company name | Preservation Technologies Japan |
|---|---|
| Industry sector | Deacidification of books and documents |
| Date of entry | March 2008 |
| Motivation for selecting region |
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| Support provided by local government or JETRO |
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| Comments |
| Company name | Knorr-Bremse Commercial Vehicle Systems Japan Ltd.
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| Industry sector | Development and manufacturing of braking systems for commercial vehicles |
| Motivation for selecting region |
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| Company name | Tokyo Yuncheng Plate Making Co., Ltd. |
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| Industry sector | Printing and engraving manufacturing |
| Date of entry | June 2007 |
| Motivation for selecting region |
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| Support provided by local government or JETRO |
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Services for investment in Japan
| Menu of services | Fees charged? | Content of services |
|---|---|---|
| Providing market information | ||
| Advice on market participation | No | Provided by advisors from the SBSC. |
| Consulting by external experts and advisers | Yes | Support is available from SBSC’s business network, including law offices, accounting offices, patent agencies, and others with exhaustive knowledge and experience in international operations. SBSC can introduce inquirers to a suitable office, based on the nature of their needs. |
| Arranging appointments with potential customers and partners | Yes | This service can be provided by members of the SBSC business network. |
| Support for establishing a base | ||
| Monitoring surveys (evaluation of products and services) | Yes | This service can be provided by members of the SBSC business network. |
| Listing of potential customers and partners | No | Inquirers are introduced to partners through SBSC’s networks of companies, universities, and research institutes that are continually under construction. Introductions in cooperation with support institutions other than those are also provided. |
| Listing of potential customers and partners | No | Since the constructed networks are managed transparently, introductions are conducted smoothly. Cooperation from support institutions other than those above can also be obtained. |
| Support for establishing a base | ||
| Providing incubation facilities or other facilities | No | It is possible to utilize SBSC’s start-up offices for a maximum of 6 months at no charge. |
| Providing incubation facilities or other facilities | No | SBSC advisors provide this advice. Specialized advice can be provided by members of SBSC’s business support network (for a fee). |
| Providing information on procedures for investing in Japan | No | SBSC advisors provide this advice. Specialized advice can be provided by members of SBSC’s business support network (for a fee). |
| Arranging the meetings needed to establish a base (real estate, manpower services) | No | Provided by SBSC’s advisors |
| Introduction of available properties and advice on hiring personnel | No | Provided by SBSC’s advisors |
| Providing information on permits and licensing procedures | No | SBSC advisors provide this advice. Specialized advice can be provided by members of SBSC’s business support network (for a fee). |
| Providing information on subsidy programs | No | Provided by SBSC’s advisors |
Support service
The Saitama International Business Support Center (SBSC) assists foreign companies and foreign-financed companies that are considering investment in Saitama prefecture. SBSC provides useful information and advice about various business procedures, real estate, and technological tie-ins at no charge, making use of its overseas and domestic business support networks. Inside SBSC is the Japan External Trade Organization Saitama Information Desk. It is prepared to offer subsidies for office rental and subsidies such as for hiring experts when setting up a company. SBSC has the backing of Saitama prefecture, the city of Saitama, and the Saitama Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Database of candidate partners
- SAITAMA Excellent Companies
A list of research-oriented companies in Saitama, classified by sector, is available on the SBSC website. In addition, SBSC also has created brochures in uniform format that the companies themselves have filled in. SBSC also introduces networks of foreign law offices and specialists in setting up companies.
Available incentives
- Saitama Prefecture offers a one-stop location for information and advice at no charge, covering topics such as markets, customers, potential partners, establishment of a place of business, human resources, and real estate.
- The prefecture has created networks of research-oriented companies that are potential partners, and publicizes information about these companies.
- Networks of foreign law offices, business, tax accountants, patent agents, and other services skilled in international business are in place that allow companies to do in business in Japan smoothly.
- Companies can make use of start-up offices with English- and Japanese-speaking secretaries on site, all at no charge.
- A system is in place that subsidizes the expense of hiring the experts needed when registering a corporation.
Living environment for foreigners
| International schools | In addition to one school in Tokorozawa, many foreign residents make use of the international schools in Tokyo. |
|---|---|
| Health services catering to foreigners | There are 277 medical facilities that can handle foreign languages. |
| Other | In order to help foreign residents in their everyday lives, help desk consultation services are provided in 8 languages. (English, Spanish, Chinese, Portuguese, Korean, Tagalog, Thai, and Vietnamese) |
Links to Related Websites
- Saitama Prefecture
- Saitama International Association
- TIES(Trade Index:Entry to Saitama)
- Tourist information on Saitama Prefecture
