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 is working 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 collaborate with them internationally by utilizing domestic and overseas networks.

1. Disseminating information on the attractiveness and investment environment of each region in Japan

We provide foreign companies with information on the attractiveness of industries and the investment environment in each region through our "Navigation System for Investing in Japan's Local Regions" to support their expansion into the regions.


2. Supporting activities to induce foreign/foreign-affiliated companies to utilize regional ecosystems in Japan

In June 2023, we established the Program to Attract Foreign Companies to Regional Ecosystems to attract foreign companies to the regions and promote international collaboration. The program provides the following supports for those involved in regional ecosystems (local governments, universities and research institutes, local companies, industrial communities, startup ecosystem consortium members).

  1. (1)

    Global Open Innovation Program (GOI Program)

    a. Invitation of foreign companies to regional key industries
    Invite foreign companies that are expected to establish their bases in the region or lead to collaboration/cooperation in the future, and hold business meetings and events such as seminars and symposiums, in order to contribute to the revitalization and sophistication of the regional ecosystem with a focus on key industries in the region.

    b. Individual invitations
    Invite specific foreign companies that have already been in contact with any party involved and have a high possibility of expanding into the region, and provide support for the inspection of specific areas and preparation for establishing a base.

  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 observe the region's investment environment and interact with local companies and academia.

  3. (3)

    Support program for building and enhancing the system to promote the attraction of foreign companies

    a. Support for the formulation of regional ecosystem attraction strategies
    Support the formulation of regional investment attraction strategies, leading to the strategic attraction of foreign investment in Japan that contributes to the upgrading of regional industrial infrastructure and regional revitalization. Based on the characteristics of each region, the missing pieces in each ecosystem will be clarified in conjunction with the people involved in the regional ecosystems.

    b. Business environment improvement study
    Through experts (consultants and others), conduct a comparative analysis of business environments in competing overseas cities from the perspective of attracting enterprises, analyze the current situation and problems in the region, and conduct a business environment improvement study. After the survey, the information will be widely shared within the region with the aim of incorporating the results into investment attraction measures.

    c. Support project for enhancing the attraction of regional ecosystems
    Assign coordinators for attracting foreign companies to each region in Japan to provide hands-on support for projects that aim to locate in a region in collaboration with the local stakeholders.
    Provide on-site support for a certain period or online trainings by JETRO's specialists, industry-specific advisors, etc.
    Promote sharing of know-how with local stakeholders through these activities.

If you are interested in any of these supports, contact your nearest JETRO's local office in Japan.


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