Case Studies
We have asked several U.S. companies and organizations their experience of working with the City of Osaka in their preparation for setting up an office in Osaka. We hope to keep adding new testimonials in the future.
Case A: This company visited Osaka in the early part of 2009 for the first time and is in the process of discovering clients in Osaka. Their next step would be to continue developing more business while working to set up an office in Osaka.
Case B: Hospira Japan opened their Japan head quarter office in January of 2006.
Listed below are major examples of companies who have set up a Japan head quarters office in Osaka and are currently active in the field.
Industry | Company name | Year set up | Location | Description of business | Determining factors |
Medical and Welfare | AstraZeneca K.K. (U.K) | 1975 | Osaka City | Development, manufacture and sales of prescription drugs | ・Good industry concentration, including related businesses and R&D institutes |
| No.of employees: 2,714 | ・Well-developed rail and flight networks |
| Hospira Japan K.K. (US) | 2004 | Osaka City | Manufacture and sales of pharmaceuticals and medical equipment | ・Cheaper office rent compared to Tokyo area |
| No. of employees: 60 | ・Concentration of leading universities means well-qualified pharmacists and medical doctors are available |
| | ・Support services provided by Osaka Business and Investment Center |
Manufacturing | Schaeffler Japan Co., Ltd. (Germany) | 2005 | Osaka City | Development, manufacture and sales of bearings for industrial and general machinery, auto parts and bearings for automobiles | ・Concentration of related manufacturers |
・Geographical advantage and excellent transportation access enable efficient Western Japan operations |
・Incentives for incoming businesses |
Services | USJ Co., Ltd. (US) | 1994 | Osaka City | Operation of theme park Universal Studios Japan | ・Central role played by Osaka City in inviting Universal Studios to its current location |
No. of employees: 3,117 | ・Support provided under the Act Concerning the Development of Osaka Bay |
Distribution | ProLogis (US) | 1990 | Osaka City, | Development, ownership, operation and management of distribution facilities (warehouses and distribution centers) | ・Proximity to residential areas and points of consumption |
Amagasaki City | ・Hub for land, sea and sky transportation, convenient for both international trade and inland distribution |
Retail | Ikea Japan K.K. (Sweden) | 2008 | Osaka City, | Sales of Scandinavian furniture | ・Cosmopolitan atmosphere of the area |
Kobe City | ・Proximity to company center in Nagoya |
IT | Carnegie Mellon University, Entertainment Technology Center (US) | 2008 | Osaka City | Education and development of entertainment technology | ・Support services provided by City of Osaka |
・Opportunities for collaboration with other company |
・Potential of the market activity |
