With a population exceeding 20 million and an economy of \80.3 trillion (US$803 billion), the Kansai region plays a leading role in western Japan. The region is ancored by Osaka, a vast metropolitan area second only to Tokyo in scale.
Osaka Prefecture is located in the Geographical center of the Kansai region, home to the unique cities of Osaka, Kobe, and Kyoto. It has a population of 8.8 million and a gross prefectural product of \38.808 trillion (US$388 billion).
Osaka provides an ideal location for international companies seeking to invest with experienced local partners. It is home to a range of skilled manufacturers in the electronics, pharmaceutical, machinery, device, chemical, food, and construction industries. Also well represented are members of the distribution industry — including major trading houses, specialized trading companies and department stores — as well as finance and other service industries. Rounding out this diverse economy are high-tech industries such as biotechnology, new materials, and information & communications. Unique businesses in the sports industry and game content sectors also add variety to the economy. In addition, a diverse array of companies have chosen to establish their headquarters here, including large, world-renowned corporations as well as small and medium-sized enterprises that hold a significant share of their respective global markets. The Kansai region, including Osaka, has a huge market which is equivalent to an advanced country and has a huge amount of business chances.
Industry Breakdown (Gross Prefectural Product Classified by Economic Activity)
Exports/Imports
| OSAKA | TOKYO | JAPAN | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exports (Million yen) *1 | 16,523,200 *2 | 16,911,500 *3 | 81,018,100 |
| Imports (Million yen) *1 | 13,683,800 *2 | 20,205,800 *3 | 78,954,700 |
- *1 Osaka/Tokyo Customs (2008)
- *2 Values given for imports and exports are for the Kinki (the Kansai) region.
- *3 Values given for imports and exports are under Tokyo customs jurisdiction.
Major domestic companies headquartered in Osaka/Major foreign companies doing business in Osaka
Economy of Osaka
See Osaka prefectural governments’ annual report “White Paper on the Osaka Economy and Labour” for the current Osaka Economy.
- White Paper on The Osaka Economy and Labor 2008-Forming a Positive Cycle of Regional Economic Development: Through the Synergy of Logistics and Industry-（PDF:2.82MB）
- White Paper on The Osaka Economy and Labor 2007-Osaka Industry:Treasuring Human Resources for the Next Generation -（PDF:2.82MB）
- White Paper on The Osaka Economy and Labor 2006 -Osaka Economy: Growing with Vibrant Asia-（PDF:3.14MB）
Useful Links – For finding potential business partners
| Business Matching |
|---|
| JAPAN EXTERNAL TRADE ORGANIZATION (JETRO) Trade Tie-Up Promotion Program
Business matching of Japanese and foreign companies. |
| IT |
| Kansai Information System Industry Association
Organized and operated by trade associations in the electronics and information industries that have headquarters or branches in Osaka or other cities in the Kansai region; information on member associations/companies available. |
| Robot Industry |
| RooBo (Japanese Only)
Organization established to create new businesses in the robotics industry; information on member companies available. |
| Robot Laboratory
Robot industry support organization. |
| SME Support |
| Business Innovation Center Osaka
Center for supporting small and medium venture enterprises. |
| Creation Core Higashi Osaka
A comprehensive support facility established to promote innovation of small- and medium-sized manufacturers in eastern Osaka, where many manufacturers with leading technologies are concentrated. |
| Pharmaceutical Industry |
| Osaka Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association
Comprises pharmaceutical manufacturing and distribution companies or pharmaceutical manufacturers based in Osaka Prefecture; information on member companies available. |
| Bio-Industry |
| Kinki Bio Industry Development Organization (Japanese Only)
Matches technological seeds with industrial needs, based on collected information; Coordinates local and external resources, and provides advice and support for application for public financial support and subsidy programs, to promote development of SMEs and venture businesses; Evaluates new technologies and their feasibility and holds seminars to promote R&D/joint research projects in the priority research fields. Database of researchers based in Osaka/Kansai and database of bio-venture businesses available. |
