Investing in Japan

Regional Information Kyoto
Innovation Capital Kyoto
Your Regional Guide
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Trade and Commerce Division, Department of Commerce, Labor and Tourism
Yabunouchi-cho, Nishiiru, Shinmachi, Shimotachiuri-dori, Kamikyo-ku, Kyoto-city Kyoto Prefecture 602-8570 |

Kyoto
- If you can't find the information you need, please contact JETRO
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- Please note that inquires not regarding investment in Japan may not be answered.
The information below is as of November 2017. (Basic Information: September 2018)
Basic Information
Population *1 | 2.64 million |
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Labor force *1 | 1.30 million |
Area (square kilometer)*2 | 4,612.20 |
GDP *3 | 10,345,459 million yen |
Major industries | Electrical equipment, transport equipment, precision equipment, textile and chemical industry |
Wage *4 |
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Land price(for 1square meter) *5 |
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Number of Establishments *6 | 127,561 |
Number of Employees *6 | 1,242,107 |
Offices overseas |
Kyoto Prefecture Shanghai Business Support Center |
JETRO office |
Regional Profile
Strength of the region's industries and economy
Kyoto's special characteristics include its world-renowned traditional arts such as Nisijin brocade and unique Kyoto styles of Yuzen silk dyeing, pottery, and dolls, and these exacting, intricate traditional arts of Kyoto is the force behind the rise of many advanced technologies. Many world-leading companies are located in Kyoto.
Moreover, Kyoto's smaller businesses and their unique products and technologies are another of the prefecture's attractive features. Kyoto is aiming to become a major IT cluster attracting IT-related companies to the area and fostering new venture businesses by taking advantage of Kyoto's stand-out characteristic of high-tech IT-related companies sitting side by side with companies with advanced manufacturing technologies.
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Industrial cluster, project: Kansai Science City
Foreign company(s) operating in the industry
Kyoto Prefecture hosts more than ten foreign-affiliated companies.
In recent years, the technological capabilities of Kyoto businesses combined with the R&D capacity of the prefecture's universities and research institutions have seen Kyoto become the focus of considerable attention from foreign-affiliated companies promoting R&D.
Kyoto is also a high-potential area to invest for companies focusing on sales with an eye on the huge Kansai market.
Company name |
Ceres Power![]() |
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Country | England |
Industry sector |
Fuel Cell |
Outline of business |
Ceres Power Holdings PLC is a world leading developer of low cost, next generation fuel cell technology. Used in decentralised energy products, our Steel Cells enable a change in the way homes and businesses generate their power, reducing energy costs, lowering CO2 emissions, increasing efficiency and improving energy security and reliability. |
Date of entry | Apr-14 |
Motivation for selecting region |
We chose Kyoto, which is convenient for shinkansen transportation, because our clients are located not only in Tokyo, but also in various part of Japan. The reasons we chose Kyoto, Kyoto Research Park in particular, among others are
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Support provided by local government or JETRO |
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Comments |
The population and the scale of Kyoto are moderate, which make the city more comfortable to live than big cities like Tokyo. Kyoto has the atmosphere of welcoming foreigners. And nature is abundant here. Living here with family is especially nice. As a base in Japan, we chose Kyoto Research Park, which has many foreign companies, and is active in the collaboration between industry, academia, and public institutes. Kyoto is motivated to create a new thing, which is a great advantage for the business development. |
Available incentives
In addition to a good job environment and a cluster of many universities and research centers, many globally active companies are located in Kyoto.
The 'Kyoto brand' that has been inherited from cultures sophisticated throughout its history and traditional industry to advanced industry will give new business development.
Kyoto Prefecture offers support for your location in coordination with municipalities, offering incentives such as subsidies, loans, and special provisions on taxation.
Incentive name |
Industry location strategy 21 special project grant |
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Incentive type | Subsidies |
Incentive target industries |
Manufacturing- and Information-related industry, etc. |
Outline of Incentives (Requirements etc.) |
For companies located in Kyoto, Kyoto or its municipalties will provide
*1 Fix asset excluding land Limit amount varies depending on areas to locate and the number of full-time employees within the prefecture. |
Incentive name |
Business location promotion loans for the creation of jobs |
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Incentive type | Loan Scheme |
Incentive target industries |
Manufacturing, etc. |
Outline of Incentives (Requirements etc.) |
Loans available at low interest, 1.2%, for new office set-up or existing office expansion that result in job creation Maximum amount: 2 billion yen (up to 90% of its capital) |
Incentive name |
Taxation for the Promotion of Forming Manufacturing Industry Cluster |
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Incentive type | Prefential Tax Treatment |
Incentive target industries |
Manufacturing, software businesses, and information processing services |
Outline of Incentives (Requirements etc.) |
Reduction of real estate acquisition tax up to 50% for companies newly establishing or expanding factories in Manufacturing Cluster Promotion Areas |
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Incentive: Kyoto Prefecture Support
Services for investment in Japan
Support for establishing a base | Consultation on the matters related to establishing a Japanese base, Provision of facilities including a incubation office |
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Kyoto invests significant efforts into attracting businesses from overseas, establishing new research facilities and building relationships with foreign entrepreneurs and researchers. In response to the wide-ranging support systems put in place by the national government and the Kyoto prefectural and municipal governments, the Kyoto Foreign Investment Promotion Committee (KIC) was established in April 2003.
The KIC serves as a one-stop service institution for foreign businesses to learn and do everything necessary to set up a business in Kyoto, and is working to establish a support regime to further promote investment in Kyoto by foreign companies. [ Kyoto Foreign Investment Promotion Committee (KIC)]
Operators: Kyoto Prefectural and Municipal Governments, Kyoto Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Kansai Research Institute, Kyoto Research Park Corp, JETRO Kyoto