Investing in Japan

Yamanashi

The information below is as of March 2011.

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• Basic Information
• Regional Profile
• Services for investment in Japan
• Available incentives
• Links to Related Websites

Basic Information

Population*1	0.86 million
Labor force*1	0.45 million
Area*2	4,201 km²
GDP*3	8,034,631 million yen
Major industries	General machinery, electronic components, electrical machinery, food products, information and communication machinery
Developing industries	Mechanical electronics, health-related
Offices in Japan	Tokyo / Osaka
JETRO office	JETRO Kanto

*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

In addition to a wealth of traditional technologies, represented best by Yamanashi jewelry working, the prefecture offers excellent access to the mechanical electronics industry concentration of Tokyo’s Tama region; for this reason many companies, such as electronic component manufacturers, semiconductor device manufacturers, semiconductor manufacturing device makers, liquid crystal manufacturing device makers, mechatronics (such as robotics) manufacturers and electronics manufacturers, have expanded into Yamanashi, making it one of the largest mechanical electronics industry concentration in Japan.

Strength of the region's education/research institutes

Yamanashi offers a diverse range of research and development and human resources development not found elsewhere in Japan. For example, the University of Yamanashi has world-class research facilities related to such areas as wine and green energy, primarily fuel cells, and Teikyo University of Science & Technology features departments such as animal science and environmental science. The region is also home to the Health Science University. In addition there is the Yamanashi Industrial Technology Junior College and two technical colleges, all of which cultivate engineers and technicians with advanced theoretical and practical knowledge and skills.

Strength of the region's industry-government-academia collaboration

Through the “Central Automobile Road Area along the Railroad Line Area Industrial Cluster Population Conference”, Yamanashi is promoting partnership between industry, academia and government - as well as between industries - in the area of mechanical electronics. In addition, it has created the Yamanashi Bioforum, comprised of researchers and engineers from companies, universities, and prefectural testing and research institutions connected to the biotech industry, in order to promote collaboration.

Strength of the region's infrastructure

Yamanashi is located to the west of the Tokyo metropolitan area and offers access to Tokyo, Kanagawa and Nagoya via the east-west Chuo Expressway and JR Chuo line; in addition work currently being done to open the Karisaka Tunnel and the link the Ken-O Expressway with the Chuo Expressway will allow access to Saitama and northern Kanto. Furthermore, work is being done to link the Chuo Expressway and the 2nd Tomei Expressway via the Chuo-Odan Expressway; and a Yamanashi test track has been built for the Chuo Shinkansen maglev line connecting Tokyo and Nagoya, with a view to the commencement of operations in 2027.

<Land>

The Chuo Expressway, which cuts east-west across Yamanashi, allows convenient access to both Tokyo and Nagoya. From the city center to the central region of Yamanashi Prefecture takes approximately 90 minutes, and from the Hachioji Interchange to the Uenohara Interchange is only 30 minutes. Driving direct to Nagoya takes approximately two hours. The connection via the Chuo-Odan Expressway between the Chuo Expressway and the 2nd Tomei Expressway is expected to be completed around 2018.

<Railway>

The JR Chuo line, which cuts east-west across Yamanashi, allows convenient access to both Tokyo and Nagoya. The Fuji Express line is available from Otsuki to Fujigoko, and the JR Minobu line connects Yamanashi with Shizuoka. Furthermore, the Linear Chuo shinkansen (bullet train) is expected to start operation in 2025 and will enable passengers to reach Tokyo or Nagoya in one hour.

Services for investment in Japan

Menu of services	Fees charged?	Content of services
Support for finding customers
Listing of potential customers and partners	No	Support available from the Yamanashi Industry Support Organization.
Support for establishing a base
Providing information on procedures for investing in Japan	No	Information on consultants is available through the Yamanashi Industry Support Organization.
Introduction of available properties and advice on hiring personnel	No	Support for site selection is available from the Yamanashi Industry Promotion Section.
Providing information on permits and licensing procedures	No	Information is available from the Yamanashi Industry Promotion Section.
Providing information on subsidy programs	No	Information is available from the Yamanashi Industry Promotion Section.

Available incentives

• Subsidies proportional to the amount of investment made in factory, etc., establishment are available.
• For IT-related companies, subsidies are available for office rent.

• Industrial location guide: Yamanashi Business Siting Commission
• Incentive: Yamanashi Business Siting Commission Preferential Treatment System

Links to Related Websites

Local governments and related organizations

• Official website: Yamanashi Prefecture
• Industrial location guide: Yamanashi Business Siting Commission

Incentives

• Incentive: Yamanashi Business Siting Commission Preferential Treatment System