Investing in Japan

Regional Information

Yamaguchi

Industrial space opened to Asia and the world

Your Regional Guide: Akie Kiyasu

Yamaguchi Pref. Concierge

Commerce, Industry ＆ Labor Department Enterprise Induction Promotion Office
1-1 Taki-machi, Yamaguchi-city, Yamaguchi Prefecture 753-8501
TEL: +81-83-933-3145 FAX: +81-83-933-3178

Basic Information
Regional Profile
Services for investment in Japan
Available incentives
Living environment for foreigners
Links to Related Websites

Basic Information

Population	1.47 million (Male: 0.69 million, Female: 0.78 million) (2008)
Labor force	0.91 million (Male: 0.45 million, Female: 0.46 million) (2006)
Area	6,112km² (2005)
GDP	5,727 billion yen (2004)
Major industries	Chemical, transport equipment/appliance, petroleum/coal product, steel and general machinery/tool
Developing industries	Chemical, transport equipment/appliance, petroleum/coal product, medical/pharmaceutical product and environment
JETRO office	JETRO Yamaguchi Kaikyo Messe Shimonoseki Kokusai Boeki Bldg. 7F, 3-3-1, Buzenda-cho, Shimonoseki-city, Yamaguchi Prefectures 750-0018 TEL: +81-832-31-5022 FAX: +81-832-33-3506 E-mail: yac@jetro.go.jp

Regional Profile

Strength of the region's industries and economy

A center of basic material industries including chemical, petroleum and steel, processing and assembly industry like the automobile and other industries. There are outstanding research functions as well.

Strength of the region's education/research institutes

There are a number of universities and junior colleges, represented by Yamaguchi University, University of East Asia and Tokyo University of Science, Yamaguchi, as well as three colleges of technology, producing future leaders in the industrial arena. There are also many test and research institutes and educational research institutes for the next generation.

Industry-government-academia collaboration

To create new industries and bring about technological innovation, Yamaguchi Prefecture enhances collaboration among the government, industry, and academia and promotes a variety of technology promotion programs. Major institutes include Yamaguchi Industrial Promotion Foundation, Yamaguchi Prefectural Industrial Technology Institute and Japan Ultra-high Temperature Materials Research Institute.

Strength of the region's infrastructure

The prefecture has distinguished land, sea, and air infrastructures. It boasts its road network, which took first place in the comprehensive evaluation ranking of the satisfaction survey about roads in Japan. With its geographical advantage, Shimonoseki Port is developing as a gateway to Asia. In addition, an artificial island named Choshu Dejima is under construction in the offing of Shimonoseki.

<Land>

Two expressways running east-west have outstanding access to major cities. The road infrastructure has been almost completed in any area in the Prefecture under the “One hour from anywhere in the prefecture to the city center” initiative.

<Air>

Eight flights a day fly from Haneda Airport (Tokyo) to Yamaguchi Ube Airport, an air gateway of the Prefecture. There are also Hagi Iwami Airport, Kita-Kyushu Airport and Fukuoka International Airport nearby.

<Sea>

Located near China, Korea, and other East Asian nations, the prefecture has two specially designated ports, Shimonoseki and Tokuyama-Kudamatsu, and four designated ports, Iwakuni, Mitajiri-Nakanoseki, Ube, and Onoda. Regular ferry services operate from Shimonoseki Port to Korea (Pusan) and China (Tsingtao and Suzhou). .

<Railway>

The Prefecture has five Shinkansen Stations. Access from anywhere in the prefecture is ensured.

Foreign company(s) operating in the industry

Twelve foreign companies, including German, U.S., Dutch, and Swiss, have facilities in the prefecture. Nine of them are chemical companies.

Company name	Japan Climate Systems Corporation
Industry sector	Automobile air conditioner
Date of entry	December 2006
Motivation for selecting region	Concentration of the automobile industry and good access to Mazda’s Hofu factory and Kita-Kyushu.
Support provided by local government or JETRO	Information provision and advice about acceptance conditions and subsidies from local governments.
Comments	Outstanding transportation access reduced the costs and time for physical distribution. Able to broaden market to north Kyushu, where automobile-related industries are concentrated, and even to Asia.

Services for investment in Japan

Menu of services	Fees charged?	Content of services
Providing market information
Advice on market participation	No	Provided by the Enterprise Attraction Promotion Office.
Support for establishing a base
Listing of potential customers and partners	No	Provided by the Enterprise Attraction Promotion Office.
Listing of potential customers and partners	No	Provided by the Enterprise Attraction Promotion Office.
Support for establishing a base
Providing incubation facilities or other facilities	No	Provided by the Enterprise Attraction Promotion Office.
Introduction of available properties and advice on hiring personnel	No	Provided by the Enterprise Attraction Promotion Office.
Providing information on permits and licensing procedures	No	Provided by the Enterprise Attraction Promotion Office.
Providing information on subsidy programs	No	Provided by the Enterprise Attraction Promotion Office.

Available incentives

The prefecture grants a subsidy for the construction of factories and other facilities (3 billion yen maximum) and also has another subsidy system for land acquisition in an industrial park. One-stop service is provided to give information and advice about human resources, real estate, approvals, and licenses.

Living environment for foreigners

Living environment	Dry and comparatively warm climate throughout the year. The area is seldom hit by typhoons. Having fewer natural disasters including earthquakes is one of the attractions. The prefecture is endowed with clear water, clean air, and rich nature, and you will be able to enjoy beautiful landscapes that vary with the season.