Japan is stepping up efforts to attract overseas technology companies and investors to Osaka, positioning the city as an alternative gateway to the Japanese market and a potential hub for innovation in sectors such as robotics, artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and advanced manufacturing.
The initiative is being led by the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), a government-backed agency that promotes trade and investment between Japan and the rest of the world.
Following Expo 2025 Osaka, JETRO is highlighting a range of programs designed to help foreign companies establish operations in the Osaka and Kansai region.
While Tokyo remains Japan’s dominant financial and business center, Osaka has long been one of the country’s most important industrial cities.
Located about 500 kilometers (310 miles) southwest of Tokyo, Osaka sits at the heart of the Kansai region, one of Japan’s largest economic areas and home to a significant concentration of manufacturing, engineering, and technology companies.
Japan itself remains one of the world’s leading robotics nations. The country is home to some of the largest industrial robotics companies globally, including Fanuc, Yaskawa Electric, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, and Mitsubishi Electric.
As demand for automation, AI, and semiconductor technologies continues to grow, Japanese policymakers are increasingly focused on attracting international expertise and investment.
One of JETRO’s flagship initiatives is J-Bridge, a platform designed to connect overseas startups and technology companies with Japanese corporations interested in partnerships, investment, and open innovation.
The program focuses on areas including digital technologies, semiconductors, microelectronics, sustainability, and life sciences. According to JETRO, nearly 2,000 Japanese companies currently participate in the platform.
JETRO is also promoting its Invest Japan Business Support Center in Osaka, which provides temporary office space and advisory services for foreign companies looking to establish a presence in Japan. Support includes assistance with company registration, visas, recruitment, office locations, and local incentives.
A JETRO Osaka advisor said the organization handles around 100 consultations from foreign companies each year and provides support ranging from company incorporation and bank account opening to visa applications and office setup.
The organization is encouraging companies considering expansion into Japan to explore opportunities in Osaka and the wider Kansai region.
The effort reflects a broader trend among governments worldwide to compete for technology investment, talent, and innovation ecosystems.
For Japan, attracting more international companies could help strengthen its position in emerging industries while reinforcing its long-standing role as a global leader in robotics, manufacturing, and industrial automation.
Main image: Nakanoshima, one of Osaka’s principal business districts, is part of the Kansai region that Japan is promoting as a destination for international investment and technology companies.
