The Business Introduction Program: Team, Stages and B to B programs

“For a city to place its business incubator in one of the tallest and most modern buildings in Japan is a strong statement to their commitment to support international trade and business.”

By Company A who visited Osaka in Jan. 2009
For the complete testimonial, please see the Case Study Page

Meet the team: The introduction program starts from this City of Osaka Chicago Office, the North America window to the triangle support net in Osaka. The Osaka International Business Promotion Center or IBPC is an outside arm of the City of Osaka that provide detailed support service to foreign businesses with interest in investing in Osaka.

The Osaka Business Investment Center or O-BIC is a NPO that was created by the Osaka City Government, the Osaka Prefectural government and the Osaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry to provide investors with a wide array of information. All organizations work together to provide foreign businesses with the best possible service as well as share the most relevant information to support the entry process into the Osaka market.





Three Phases in Setting up a Business in Osaka:

The process of setting up business in Osaka could be broken down in three stages. During phase 1, an organization would research their match with Osaka’s business environment through meeting with potential partners. At the end of this phase an investment decision is made.

An organization would then begin the logistical preparations for setting up a business. During this time a free temporary office is useful so that further planning could be done locally at a time when profit may still be marginal.

In the last phase a new business is registered and the organization now qualifies for the various subsidies.




Business Matching Program

There are two types of business matching program.

One is the IBPC ‘Osaka Investment Support Program’ which is a program that will be tailored to your company needs. Below are services available through this program.

  • Business meetings are set up with potential partners
  • Service to translate a marketing material is offered
  • Local transportation in Osaka is provided
  • An IBPC staff is available to assist in business meetings

The DCP (Digital Concept Partners) program is hosted by the Osaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry and it is a service where a company can request up to 5 meetings with large, mainly consumer electronics companies within Greater Osaka. There is a formal application process as well as requirement to submit a business plan for investing in Osaka.




Temporary Office

For qualifying companies, the best deal is offered by IBPC with the use of the free office space in a spectacular location. This lease is for 2 months and is also renewable for up to 6 months total. Each space measures about 105 square feet and is equipped with a desk, some chairs, storage space, telephone, facsimile, and high-speed Internet access. The room is ready to be used as an office upon your company’s arrival.

In addition to the temporary office in IBPC, There are about 5 different types of incubation offices some of which are specific to particular industries.




Subsidies

After your company business is registered in Osaka, we offer several types of subsidies for companies in the 7 key industries.

The 3 types of subsidies are:

  • Subsidy to cover office rent
  • Subsidy to cover construction cost of business establishments
  • And Subsidy to cover land acquisition cost.

In addition, O-BIC offers “Support Program for reducing Setup-costs”. This program offers service that would reduce your company cost for

  • Market research
  • Hiring interpreters
  • Business licenses and permits
  • Company registrations
  • real-estate brokerages
  • recruiting, etc.

Subsidy for Priority Industries:
For 3months’ rent and up to 5 million yen ($ 50,000)

Subsidy for New Business Establishments in Priority Industries:
up to 5% of invested fixed capital, up to 300million yen ($3,000,000)

For Large Scale Establishment:
up to 5% of invested fixed capital, up to 3 billion yen ($30,000,000)

For the Establishment of Universities:
up to 5% of invested fixed capital up to 300mil. ($3,000,000 ) or 1/2 rent for 2 years

For Headquarters Establishment
1/3 rent for 2 years, up to 60 million yen ($600,000)

Subsidy for Land Acquisition in Cosmosquare:
Up to 30% of the land purchase cost, up to 1 billion yen ($10,000,000 )

Reduction of Osaka Prefectural Corporate Business Tax:
Reduction of 50-90% of the business tax

*all currency conversions are calculated at 1$=100yen

Please contact us for more details on the various services we provide.