Investing in Japan

Shimane

The information below is as of July 2012.

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• Basic Information
• Regional Profile
• Available incentives
• Services for investment in Japan

Basic Information

Population*1	0.72 million
Labor force*1	0.36 million
Area*2	6,708 km²
GDP*3	2,333,570 million yen
Major industries	Information and telecommunications equipment, iron and steel, general machinery, electronic components and devices, food ceramic/sand and stones
JETRO office	JETRO Matsue

*1 Population Census 2010, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications　*2 Area data 2010, Geospatial Information Authority of Japan *3 Prefectural Citizens' Economic Accounts 2008, Cabinet Office

*Ask the local government for the latest data.

Regional Profile

Strength of the region's industries and economy

Tertiary industry contributes the largest share to aggregate production. Shimane Prefecture is rich in water resources and land prices are also relatively low relative to Japan as a whole. Consequently, a large percentage of manufacturing is in processing and assembly industries such as electrical equipment and general machinery manufacturing.

Foreign company(s) operating in the industry

Company name	Crestron Japan, Inc.
Industry sector	Distributive trade of control machinery of videos and audios
Date of entry	May 2002
Motivation for selecting region	The infrastructure available at Shimane Research Business Park and the support system provided by the local government. The time and distance to Tokyo from Matsue is little different to that from other medium-sized cities in Japan. The company president greatly values the lifestyle advantages of not having to commute, and chose to locate an office in the south building of Techno ARC Shimane because of the attractive conditions, prompt service and courteous follow up provided by the Prefectural government. This office became the foundation of a business that now markets to major corporations across Japan. The company currently maintains its head office showroom in Matsue City, and from this location develops the marketing activities for the whole of Japan.
Support provided by local government or JETRO	Human network (fund raising in particular)

Company name	MC SECURITY Co.,Ltd.
Industry sector	Manufacture, marketing, maintenance of electronic equipment
Date of entry	November 2007
Motivation for selecting region	Established in Matsue City in February 2006 as a joint venture of the MIC Limited, which has its head office in Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture, and C&S defense Co.,Ltd., a South Korean corporation. Following its establishment, the decision was made to move the joint venture into Shimane Research Business Park. There it will build a new base for development, manufacturing, and marketing of an intrusion prevention system (IPS). This system is to prevent unauthorized access to computer networks, which has become a problem in society. The company began operation in November 2007.

Available incentives

Support menus will be matched to the needs of individual corporations upon request.

<Subsidies and funding programs>

• Subsidy systems are available to help cover land acquisition costs, rent, telecommunications fees, etc.
• In case of acquisition of a certain area of land, 15 to 50% of acquisition costs for the land are subsidized.
• A lease system for land can be used if certain requirements are met.
• A subsidy system for electricity expenses (50 to 100% of the amount for eight years) can be used if certain requirements are met.
• Employment aid of one million yen per employee is provided if certain requirements are met.
• Office rental costs are subsidized (five-sixths of the rent for five years) if certain requirements are met.
• 50 percent of charges for high-speed information and communication are subsidized if certain requirements are met.

<Incentive Programs>
Financing systems are available to help cover acquisition costs of land, building and machinery and equipment.
Low-interest and long-term loans can be used if certain requirements are met.

<Other>
Location Plan Subsidy systems are available for approved companies (up to 2 billion yen).

Services for investment in Japan

Providing market information	Consulting by external experts and advisers
Support for establishing a base	Providing incubation facilities or other facilities, Arranging the meetings needed to establish a base (real estate, manpower services), Introduction of available properties and advice on hiring personnel, Providing information on permits and licensing procedures, Providing information on subsidy programs