ActivitiesFacilitating innovation through inward Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Japan, international collaborations and joint ventures, support for startups expanding overseas, and encouraging the active participation of highly-skilled foreign professionals in the labor force
Promoting FDI into Japan and international collaborations and joint ventures
As a provider of comprehensive support for inward FDI, JETRO strives to attract foreign companies to Japan by helping them establish offices, expand their operations, and facilitates collaborations and joint ventures with domestic firms. Through these activities, we aim to attract businesses and other organizations that can significantly contribute toward spurring innovation, resolving domestic social issues, and revitalizing regional economies, while working together with the government, local governments, academics, research institutes, and other stakeholders involved in local innovation ecosystems.
Providing information through seminars, websites, and social media.
We provide investment-related information concerning Japan’s markets, incentives and the overall investment environment through large-scale overseas public relations campaigns and related events, via social media and on our website.
The latest information is available on our website or through social media
Succeed Together in Japan and Beyond – Investing in Japan –
JETRO has a team of experts stationed at our regional offices in major cities in North America, Europe, and Asia. Our knowledgeable “investment advisors” have significant experience dealing with and appealing to overseas companies. We also support promising businesses around the world through a global network of related trade and investment promotion organizations, economic groups, startups, and ecosystems. In Japan, some of the ways in which we support companies include providing temporary office space as well as offering consulting services in areas such as corporate registration, taxes, regulatory/labor matters, and visas.
Reception Desk at the JETRO Innovation Garden
Strengthening ties with local regions
Through our “Program for Attracting Foreign Companies to Regional Ecosystems,” we organize events with foreign and foreign-affiliated companies connected to important regional industries, collaborate with a wide range of regional innovation ecosystem stakeholders, and invite foreign companies to tour local regions. We have also stationed "Foreign Investment Attraction Coordinators" in the major regions of Japan who can provide companies with broad-based support. To help foreign firms enter local regions, we work with them to establish and strengthen their ties with academia, research institutes, local companies, and other groups in specific industrial fields.
Inviting foreign companies to tour local regions
Promoting open innovation through collaborations and joint ventures in Japan and overseas
JETRO promotes open innovation between Japanese companies and foreign companies, including startups, through our business platform, “Japan Innovation Bridge” (J-Bridge). For domestic companies, universities, and research institutes looking to develop existing businesses or create new businesses through alliances or M&As with foreign companies, we are engaged in the following activities: providing information about promising overseas companies, holding events, assisting in arranging business meetings and interviews with foreign companies, and offering support for strategy formulation and business development through experts.
We also provide assistance for demonstration projects (pilot projects) in which Japanese companies, making full use of digital technology and other innovations, attempt to solve economic and social problems in Japan and ASEAN countries in conjunction with Southeast Asian companies and organizations. In addition to this, we help foreign and foreign-affiliated companies with conducting feasibility studies in Japan in such areas as investment, business expansion, collaboration and joint ventures.
Companies, including overseas startups, participating in an acceleration program at KEIHANNA Plaza
Activities to improve Japan’s investment environment.
With a goal of improving Japan’s investment environment, we interview foreign companies to get their feedback on matters such as desired regulatory reforms or how administrative procedures could be improved. We also work with relevant organizations to improve the domestic investment environment through the “Invest Japan Hotline,” by conducting surveys of foreign-affiliated companies, and through other activities.
Helping startups expand overseas.
To foster the creation of startups that can thrive globally, JETRO helps businesses expand overseas through consultation with experts, such as international mentors (including serial entrepreneurs), investors, academics, and accelerators. We support startups at all stages and in all industries, from “born global” startups (startups aiming to be global enterprises from day one) to “J-Startup” companies. The type of support we provide is also broad-ranging and extends from helping businesses bring in their first overseas customers and obtain funding to hitting unicorn status and reaching the exit. This support includes market entry strategy development through our acceleration program, and by offering mentoring and introductions to investors and potential clients overseas.
Mentoring services to support overseas expansion.
Our “Global Acceleration Hub” program is active in over 25 locations worldwide including Silicon Valley, Boston, and London. In collaboration with local mentors, investors, accelerators, and others, we validate Product-Market-Fit (PMF) and support the development of strategies to enter overseas markets. We also help companies to connect with investors and customers and establish local offices.
Bootcamp and individual intensive training
Customized acceleration programs by industry, region, and objective.
For startups attempting to validate their Product Market Fit (PMF) and acquire overseas customers, we offer an industry/stage specific acceleration program (Global Startup Acceleration Program: GSAP) to help them systematically learn how to scale up globally. We also offer an acceleration program (X-HUB) that prepares Tokyo-based startups to enter major overseas ecosystems.
Mentoring startups
Providing a program to cultivate and send entrepreneurs overseas.
We select students, intrapreneurs, and entrepreneurs preparing to start their own businesses, provide them with training in Japan, and then send them to Silicon Valley in the U.S. or other leading overseas ecosystems. The program, through the exchange of ideas and interactions with startup professionals and presentations of their own business plans, aims to instill entrepreneurs with strong business acumen that will enable them to expand into global markets and tackle social issues.
Training session
Helping startups to participate in major conferences.
We actively assist Japanese startups with exhibits and participating in major conferences held in overseas ecosystems. By giving these startups a chance to take part, they can participate in pitch competitions and receive increased local media exposure. This will give them a better chance to convey their strengths to local startup ecosystems.
Promoting Japanese startups at major U.S. conferences
Introducing the Japanese startup ecosystem to overseas investors
We offer acceleration programs and more for startups and support organizations in startup ecosystem cities. Also, under the “Agreement for Unified Support for Startups” concluded by nine government-related support organizations including JETRO, we provide continued support to startups working on commercialization by leveraging technology seeds, as well as to researchers, entrepreneurs, and other talented individuals aiming to start businesses.
Expanding the scope of support fields via collaborations between startup ecosystem participants.
Based on the “Agreement on Support for the Formation of a Startup Ecosystem,” signed by 16 government-affiliated organizations, including JETRO, we support ongoing human resource collaborations, such as at startups attempting to turn technology seeds into businesses as well as with researchers and entrepreneurs aiming to start businesses.
Acceleration Program for startups
Social problem-solving startup businesses
JETRO supports the overseas expansion of businesses that can solve social problems through business matching, by promoting Japanese startups that can address these issues that have been raised by major overseas companies and local governments, and through other activities.
Online business matching event
Promoting the active participation of highly-skilled foreign professionals
As part our efforts to promote diversity at Japanese and Japanese-affiliated companies both domestically and overseas, to encourage innovation, and to enhance international competitiveness, JETRO offers hands-on support from specialized advisors to companies interested in hiring, training, and retaining highly-skilled foreign professionals. We also operate a comprehensive portal site for hiring foreign professionals and hold joint information sessions with prospective employers.
Career fair at the Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (IITH)
