Activities
1Facilitating Innovations Through Inward Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Japan and Supporting Overseas Expansions of Startups
Promoting FDI into Japan
JETRO is a government-related organization tasked with attracting inward FDI. Therefore, we can provide effective support for foreign companies entering the Japanese market or expanding their business in Japan. In particular, we focus on attracting projects that use new technologies and business models capable of creating high added value and/or contributing to improving productivity. In cooperation with local governments eager to welcome foreign companies, we also put efforts into attracting firms that can help revitalize regional economies in Japan.
Investment promotion seminar overseas
Support for Overseas Expansions of Startups
To create globally active startups, JETRO supports overseas business expansion with the Japanese government and related organizations. In line with this, Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI) began a J-Startup Program in 2018. J-Startup focuses on promising startups. JETRO provides hands-on support for activities such as participating in exhibitions linked to business ecosystems around the world as well as various pre-dispatch intensive training courses like “boot camps” and mentoring programs.
Promoting Japanese startups at a major exhibition in the US
2Supporting Exports of Japanese Agricultural, Forestry, and Fishery Products and Food
JETRO fully uses domestic and international networks to contribute to government goals of “one-trillion yen in exports of agricultural, forestry, and fishery products and food in 2019” and the stimulus of government-promoted local regions. Together with the Japan Food Overseas Promotion Center (JFOODO), which was established in 2017, we are galvanizing an “all-Japan” effort to expand these exports in close cooperation with relevant export groups and ministries.
US buyers talking with a “wagyu” beef producer on his farm in Japan
JAPAN PAVILION arranged by JETRO at an international food exhibition in Hong Kong
3Assisting Japanese Companies with Their Overseas Businesses
JETRO supports the development of sales channels and the establishment of bases for small- and medium-sized Japanese enterprises (SMEs) in overseas markets. We select markets where expansion is expected due to strong demand and economic cooperation. In addition, we help streamline the activities of companies already active in those markets. To that end, we provide individual support for Japanese companies, especially for SMEs using the framework of Japan’s “Consortium for a New Export Nation.” We also facilitate business negotiations (such as at overseas trade fairs), the utilization of cross-border e-commerce, the employment of overseas business personnel, the development of frontier markets, and the use of intellectual property. We provide support in line with individual company needs, based on the stage of their overseas development, through activities such as promoting Japan’s appeal.
Business-matching event on exporting to Asia
Assisting business matching with food wholesalers in France
4Contributing to the Activities and Trade Policies of Japanese Companies Through Surveys and Research
JETRO conducts research and analysis by using its numerous strengths. These strengths come from various sources. They include our domestic and overseas bases; surveys of personnel with abundant knowledge of regions and industries; networks of local governments, companies, research institutes, and international organizations; and the accumulated studies of JETRO’s Institute of Developing Economies (IDE-JETRO). We share the latest overseas business information widely with Japanese companies. We also contribute to improving the business environments and trade policies for Japanese companies through proactive policy advocacy aimed at domestic and foreign governments.
Seminar in the US
Participation of world-renowned researchers at a conference hosted by IDE-JETRO
