Initiatives for Attracting Foreign/Foreign-affiliated Companies to Regional Ecosystems in Japan

In order to create new businesses and employment in the regions and revitalize regional economies, JETRO works closely with regional ecosystem stakeholders (local governments, universities and research institutes, local companies, industrial communities, startup ecosystem consortium members, etc.) to attract foreign and foreign-affiliated companies to Japan’s local regions and promote international collaboration.

1. Sharing Information on the Attractiveness and Investment Environment of Regions Across Japan

We provide information on the attractiveness of industries and the investment environment regions across Japan through our website "Navigation System for Investing in Japan's Local Regions".


2. Supporting to Attract Foreign and Foreign-Affiliated Companies to Regional Ecosystems

In line with the Strategy for Promoting Foreign Direct Investment in Japan (2021) JETRO launched the Program to Attract Foreign Companies to Regional Ecosystems in 2023 to promote the attraction of foreign companies in local regions.

In FY2026, JETRO continues to implement the following initiatives for stakeholders forming regional ecosystems, including local governments, universities and research institutions, and industrial communities.

  1. (1)

    Invitation of Foreign Companies to Regional Key Industries

    Invites foreign companies with the potential to contribute to revitalize regional ecosystems to support them to establish their business bases and engage in collaboration or partnerships in the regions in the future. Through this program, JETRO encourages to organize the business matching meetings, seminars, symposiums, and other related events.

  2. (2)

    Industrial Tours for Foreign-Affiliated Companies in Japan

    Conduct industrial tours for foreign-affiliated companies in Japan with a focus on key industrial sectors to site visit the region's investment environment and interact with local companies and academia.

  3. (3)

    Program for Building and Strengthening Investment Promotion Frameworks for Foreign Companies

    a. Business Environment Improvement Surveys

    With the support of experts (consultants and others), the survey conducts a comparative analysis of business environments in competitive overseas cities from the perspective of attracting enterprises, analyzes the current situation and problems in the region, and conducts a business environment improvement study. After the survey, the results will be widely shared within the region with the aim of incorporating them into the investment attraction measures.

    FY2025 Survey Reports (Japanese only)

    FY2024 Survey Reports: Gunma, Kobe, Hiroshima

    b. Support Project for Enhancing the Attraction of Regional Ecosystems

    Provide on-site support for a certain period or online training by JETRO's specialists, industry-specific advisors.
    In addition, organize Japan Regional Innovation Ecosystem Seminars on inward investment and international business collaboration in strategic fields, promoting the sharing of practical know-how among regional stakeholders.

    c. Support for the Formulation of Regional Ecosystem Investment Attraction Strategies

    Considering the characteristics of each regional ecosystem, initiatives such as business environment improvement surveys are conducted together with local stakeholders to identify and visualize “missing pieces,” thereby contributing to the advancement of regional industrial bases and regional revitalization through the strategic attraction of inward foreign direct investment.


If you are interested in any of these support programs, please contact your nearest JETRO domestic office.

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