A Reliably High Standard of Living

Start a New Business and a New Life in a High-Quality Environment
In terms of a high standard of living, three Japanese cities—Tokyo, Osaka, and Fukuoka—rank among the top 50 cities in the Asia-Pacific region.
Tokyo, in particular, ranks 2nd among the world’s major cities in terms of overall urban competitiveness.
Tokyo achieved the top of position in the Livability category and, for the first time, ranked 2nd in the Cultural Interaction category, demonstrating an overall improvement in its urban competitiveness. As a result, Tokyo surpassed New York for the first time since the launch of Global Power City Index (GPCI) and advanced to 2nd place overall.
As a country offering a high quality of life, Japan is an exceptionally attractive destination for international investors.
Major Cities Ranked by “Magnetism”
Source: Created by JETRO based on Mori Memorial Foundation, Institute for Urban Strategies "Global Power City Index 2025 Summary Edition"
A Home Base with World-class Education and Living Standards
Japan is home to 68 international schools accredited by organizations such as WASC, CIS, ACSI, and NEASC, as well as 121 school authorized to offer the International Baccalaureate (IB) program. For employees of global companies and accompanying family members seeking a high standard of living and education, Japan is an ideal option.
Source: Compiled from WASC, CIS, ACSI, NEASC, International Baccalaureate websites (as of June 5, 2026)
*Note: Some schools are included in both categories; therefore, these figures are not mutually exclusive.
A Stable Transportation Network, Ideal for Global Businesses
If you’re looking to go global with your business, Japan is one of the top choices. In the 2023 Logistics Performance Index ranking, Japan ranked high in Asia. Another point in its favor is that many other major Asian cities are reachable from Japan in under four hours. Japan’s stable infrastructure and excellent public transport accessibility create ideal conditions for smooth business operation and growth. Make Japan the first step on your path to success.
Source: ©World Bank, "Logistics Performance Index" Creative Commons License (Attribution 4.0 International)
Advanced Communication Infrastructure Supports Your Business
Japan is undergoing a remarkable digital transformation, ranking 5th in Asia in the 2025 Global IT Competitiveness Ranking. Moreover, Japan’s ICT level is ranked 4th in Asia, influencing both the economy and the quality of life. Japan’s advanced communication infrastructure powers new business opportunities as well as supports a quality of life.
| Rank | Country and Region | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Singapore | 70.4 |
| 2 | South Korea | 66.1 |
| 3 | China | 64.4 |
| 4 | Hong Kong | 63.6 |
| 5 | Japan | 61.3 |
| Rank | Country and Region | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Korea | 72.6 |
| 2 | Singapore | 68.1 |
| 3 | China | 67.8 |
| 4 | Japan | 66.9 |
| 5 | Malaysia | 53.1 |
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Source:
Portuland Institute "The Network Readiness Index 2025"
A Safe Place to Live and Work
With its well-established legal system and law-abiding populace, Japan is an ideal choice for global companies. Measured by the International Crime Victim Survey, it boasts the lowest crime rate in the G7, and remains one of the safest countries in the world. Offering safety for your employees and security for your corporate assets, Japan is a country where you can grow your business with confidence and peace of mind.
We provide a flowchart outlining the basic steps involved in establishing a base in Japan. You can also find a detailed explanation of each step, cost estimation, an overview of the laws, regulations and procedures related to setting up business, and more.
The pamphlet “Laws & Regulations” is available in PDF, and outlines basic information about laws, regulations and procedures related to setting up a business in Japan.
PDF “Reasons to Choose Japan”
The “Reasons to Choose Japan” is also available in PDF.
Contact Us
Investing in and collaborating with Japan
We will do our very best to support your business expansion into and within Japan as well as business collaboration with Japanese companies. Please feel free to contact us via the form below for any inquiries.
Inquiry FormJETRO Worldwide
Our network covers over 50 countries worldwide. You can contact us at one of our local offices near you for consultation.
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