2

Rankings of Hyogo in Japan

No. 7

Pref. income

15,983

2016

billion yen

No. 7

No. of private enterprises

214,169

2016

No. 7

No. of private enterprise employees

2,203

2016

thousand people

No. 5

15,666

2017

billion yen

No. 8

15,946

2016

billion yen

No. 5

No. of universities

36

2020

No. 3

Higher education enrollment rate

62.5%

2020

No. 5

No. of factories

56

2018

Value of manufactured goods shipped（enterprises w/ 4+

employees）

Ranking（among 47prefectures）

Number

Year

03Safety

04Facilities

02LivingStandards

05Start-upServices

Best AccessHyogo’ s well-developed airport, harbor, and highway systems allow you to easily access major cities not only in Japan but also in the world. For instance, you can reach any major cities in Japan from Hyogo within three hours. Hyogo’ s convenient transportation will fully support your business development.

No. of headquarters of foreign-affiliated companies

（as of 2020）in Japan

Best Living StandardsHyogo provides a comfortable living environment for foreign residents through facilities such as its many international schools and hospitals offering multilingual service. Hyogo also has the second-largest park area among the 47 prefectures of Japan, boasting both urban capacity and abundant natural resources.

Best in SafetySince the 1995 Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake, Hyogo has focused on building disaster-resilient cities where citizens can feel safe. By supporting companies that are creating BCPs and international organizations that disseminate disaster risk reduction information to the world, Hyogo is working to create a safe and secure region for everyone.

Best IncentivesWe have designated International Economic Zones and established incentive programs for foreign/foreign-affiliated companies to start a business there. By utilizing these programs, you can significantly reduce the cost of launching a base for your business.

Best Start-up ServicesRelated organizations in Hyogo will work together to provide one-stop services tailored to your needs and support your business.

Best FacilitiesHyogo has many world-leading research bases, concentrated around Kobe Biomedical Innovation Cluster and Harima Science Garden City. These facilities are expected to attract many more companies and researchers, develop new technologies, and create new industries.

Bests of Hyogo6

01Access

06Incentives

The Pride of Hyogo Bests,

（wholesale and retail）

Value of sales

th 4

Hyogo has the headquarters of 86 foreign-affiliated companies*. We work together with the City of Kobe and other municipalities in the prefecture and related organizations such as JETRO Kobe and Hyogo-Kobe Investment Support Center, while coordinating with the national government, to provide you with the“6 Bests.” Since the fiscal year 2001, annually approximately 20 foreign/foreign-affiliated companies have utilized these“6 Bests” to establish businesses in Hyogo, and more companies are expected to do so in the future. Hyogo Prefecture is ready to help you maximize your profit with its best services and environment.

The“6 Bests”You Need for Your Business

* Survey by International Economic Development Division, Hyogo Prefecture

Charms ofHyogo

BusinessPartnersin Hyogo

6

1

Located in the center of Japan, Hyogo Prefecture extends from the Sea of Japan in the north to the Seto Inland Sea and the Pacific Ocean in the south. It has a wide variety of communities ranging from large cities to rural villages to remoteislands. It is known as a Japan in Miniature due to the diverse climates and cultural features. World-famous companies such as Kawasaki Heavy Industries and Kobe Steel are originated here, in Hyogo Prefecture. Moreover, it is home to factories and research institutes of major Japanese enterprises, including Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Toshiba, Fujitsu, and Mitsubishi Electric.

Hyogo Prefecture: A Japan in Miniature

The Kansai region, centered around Kobe, Osaka, and Kyoto, is the country’s second-largest economic zone and home toover 20 million people. Its economic scale is equivalent to that of an advanced nation, such as the Netherlands. Kansai has prospered as the political and cultural center of Japan for a long time, and thus it has an abundance of shrines, temples, and historic sites, with about half of Japan’s national treasures and important cultural properties located in this region. The Kansai region, featuring a large economic zone and an elegant side of Japan, is expected to become the “Global Metropolis Kansai,”an international exchange base.

Kansai Region: Japan’s Second-Largest Economic Zone

Hyogo Compared to the WorldClimate in Toyooka City, Hyogo

Hyogo

World

Approx. 5,470（No. 7 in Japan）

SingaporeApprox. 5,640 As of 2019NorwayApprox. 5,320 As of 2019

As of 2017

As of 2017

QatarApprox. 11,430JamaicaApprox. 10,990

PortugalApprox. 220New ZealandApprox. 210

Population（thousand people） Area（k㎡） GDP

（billion US dollars）

*1 US dollar = 110 Japanese yen

As of 2019

Approx. 8,400（No. 12 in Japan）

As of 2020

Approx. 190（No. 6 in Japan）

As of 2017

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

450

500

550

（2020）

Osaka

HyogoHimeji

Nara

ShigaKyoto

Wakayama

Seto Inland Sea

Sea of Japan

Pacific Ocean

Kobe

Toyooka

Nishinomiya

Kansai

Overview of Hyogo Prefecture

Kansai Compared to the World

Kansai

World

Approx. 20,530

AustraliaApprox. 25,650

RwandaApprox. 26,300

The NetherlandsApprox. 830

Population（thousand people） Area（k㎡） GDP

（billion US dollars）

*1 US dollar = 110 Japanese yen

As of 2019Approx. 27,350

As of 2020Approx. 780

As of 2017

Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May Jun. Jul. Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec.

Daylight hoursDaylight hours

“A Japan in

Home to

547Miniature,”

Million People

Climate in Kobe City, Hyogo（2020）

Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May Jun. Jul. Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec.

Monthly precipitation

Monthly precipitation

Average temperatureAverage temperature

As of 2017As of 2020

Average temperature（℃）

Monthly precipitation（mm） / Daylight hours （h）

*

*

43

Hyogo’s BusinessEnvironment

International Trade Port with a History of 150 Years Sea

Sea of Japan coastal axis

Chugoku inland axis

Sanyo inland axis

Hanshin-Harima coastal axis

Pacific Ocean

Seto Inland Sea

Sea of JapanTravel Time to Major Cities in the WorldTravel Time to Major Cities in JapanNetwork of Eight Major Arterial Highways

Hyogo

Helsinki: 9.5 hLondon: 12 hParis: 12 h

Amsterdam: 11 h

Zurich: 12 hMunich: 11 h

Doha: 9.5 hDubai: 10.5 h

Delhi: 10.5 h Singapore: 6.5 h

Sydney: 9.5 hAuckland: 10.5 h

São Paulo: 27.5 h

San Francisco: 10 h

Los Angeles: 10.5 h

Seattle: 12.5 h

New York: 17.5 h

Beijing: 3 h

Hong Kong: 3.5 hBangkok: 5.5 h

Istanbul: 10.5 h

Direct flight

Indirect flight

Sapporo

NagoyaHiroshima

Fukuoka Tokyo

Okinawa Time required

Sapporo －TokyoNagoyaHiroshimaFukuoka（Hakata）

（Naha）

（Shinkansen）

Okinawa

Approx. 2 h 40 min. Approx. 1 hApprox. 1 h 10 min.

Approx. 2 h 10 min.

－

Approx. 2 h

By railway By air

Approx. 1 h 10 min.－－

Approx. 1 h 20 min.

Approx. 2 h

Hyogo,Japan

Shinkansen （Shin-Kobe Station）

Land Transportation Hub 　　　in the Center of Japan

Port of Kobe

①Osaka international Airport ②Kansai International Airport ③Kobe Airport

①

②

③

Best Access Access Japan’s Hours3

by Land, Air, or Sea

Hyogo’s well-developed transportation infrastructure is supported by advanced railway, highway, harbor, and airport networks.We offer convenient transportation by land, air, or sea that will support your business development.Land

Sky

Hyogo is a hub for land transportation. The Shinkansen connects its capital, Kobe, to Tokyo in the east and Fukuoka in the west on the main transportation artery in Japan; it takes about three hours to get to either of these locations. The network of eight major arterial highways (four in the east-west and four in the north-south) covers all of the prefectural area that is approximately 8,400㎢. This network allows us to easily travel within the Kansai region as well as to the Chugoku and Shikoku regions and across the nation.

The Port of Kobe connects to ports around the world through many regular international lines going to North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia because it is located near the center of the Japanese archipelago and is on the main route of global maritime transport. Domestically, it connects to the ports in western Japan, mainly in the Seto Inland Sea, through abundant coastal routes. In addition to the convenient transportation, the Port of Kobe boasts a high-standard container terminal that can handle large container vessels.

Connect to Cities in Japan and the World It takes about 65 minutes from Kobe to get to the Kansai International Airport (KIX), a gateway connecting Hyogo to the world. Over 1,500 flights per week are operating from KIX to approximately 90 cities in nearly 25 countries and regions worldwide (as of the 2019 winter schedule). In addition to KIX, the three airports in Hyogo (Kobe Airport, Osaka International Airport, and Tajima Airport) offer domestic services, adding to the convenience of transportation and distribution to major citiesin Japan. Central Kobe is connected to Kobe Airport and OsakaInternational Airport in approximately 18 minutes and 40 minutes, respectively.

Harima-Inaba axis

Harima-Tajima axis

Harima-Tamba-Tajima axis

Sea of Japan-Pacific Ocean axis

For TokyoFor FukuokaSeoul: 1.5 h

Ho Chi Minh: 5 h

withinMajor CitiesSan-in Kinki Expwy

Harima Rinkai Regional Road

Kobe Airport

Osaka Wangan Expwy Western Extension

Kitakinki Toyooka Expwy

Toban-Tamba Renraku Road

Akashi Kaikyo Bridge

Chugoku Odan ExpwyHimeji-Tottori Route

Higashiharima Namboku Road

2

Chugoku Expwy

Sanyo Expwy

Hanshin Expwy Kobe Route

Shin-Meishin Expwy

Meishin Expwy

Chugoku Expwy

Hanshin Expwy Wangan Route

Meishin-WanganConnection Route

Port of Kobe

Tajima Airport

Kansai International Airport

Osaka InternationalAirport

Bantan Renraku Road

Kobe-Awaji-Naruto Expwy

Maizuru-Wakasa Expwy

In serviceProject in progressBeing planned

Legend

Kobe-nishi Bypass

6

Disaster Reduction and Human Renovation Institution

Hyogo E-NetHAT Kobe

HyogoE-Net

Best in SafetySafety and Security Based onEnhanced Awareness of

It is essential for companies to prepare for a wide-range of risks so that they can continue business operation in emergencies such as earthquakes, typhoons, and other forms of natural disasters, as well as the outbreak of various infectious diseases. Hyogo is the first prefecture in Japan that began providing subsidy to companies for the costs required in creating BCPs. With the aim of minimizing damage to business assets and supporting continuity or early recovery of core businesses in case of an emergency such as natural disasters, a BCP stipulates activities during ordinary times as well as the ways and methods to continue operation in an emergency. Hyogo will continue to provide support to enhance the disaster risk reduction capability of Hyogo-based companies.

First Initiative in Japan: Subsidy for BCP Creation

The 1995 Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake was an unprecedented inland earthquake. Making use of the experience and lessons learned from it, Hyogo is working to create a safe and secure region for everyone.

Hyogo Prefecture has established the Disaster Reduction and Human Renovation Institution in the Kobe New Eastern City Center as a base for sharing with the world the experience and lessons learned from the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake and theknowledge gained from natural disasters that areconstantly occurring thereafter. Along with the neighboring international organizations (UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, Asian Disaster Reduction Center, WHO Kobe Centre, etc.), the entire area serves as a global platform for spreading information on disaster risk reduction.

International Organizations for Disaster Risk Reduction at Kobe New Eastern City Center (HAT Kobe) It will be difficult to obtain necessary information

during disasters if you are in a place where a foreign language is used. The“Hyogo E-Net”app provides emergency information (evacuation information in the prefecture, etc.) and information related to safety and security in everyday life(earthquakes, tsunami, and meteorological alerts, etc.) in 12 languages besides Japanese.

Providing Multilingual Information in an Emergency

Disaster Risk ReductionBest Living Standards

5

Canadian Academy

Kobe University Hospital

Ashiya City

InternationallyFriendly

Environment

Hyogo’s Diversity

Hyogo Pref.Medical InstitutionInfo. System

Home to110,000 Foreign Residents

150from Approx. CountriesHyogo has historically led the internationalization of Japan.Having both urban capacity and abundant natural resources, Hyogo provides a comfortable living environment for foreign residents.

Since the opening of the Port of Kobe about 150 years ago, Hyogo has been promoting urban development with a focus on internationalization. Approximately 110,000 foreign residents from about 150 countries live in Hyogo, and the prefecture’s foreign population is the seventh largest in Japan. There are 12 international schools in Hyogo for students from diverse origins, including those from Asia and Europe. These schools offer the highest-level of education, creating an advanced educational environment in Hyogo. Many of these schools boast a long history: Kobe Chinese School was established in 1899, Deutsche Schule Kobe in 1909, and Canadian Academy in 1913. They have contributed to the internationalization of Hyogo. Exchange events among international schools and with Japanese schools have been held.

International Schools with a Long History

There are many medical institutions providing services in foreign languages throughout the prefecture, including approximately 70 hospitals in Kobe. The information of these institutions is shared on a website. The number of medical institutions where more than one foreign language is available has been increasing, and more and more Hyogo citizens are participating in the voluntary medical interpretation service. Multilingual consultation on daily life affairs and various religious facilities are also available. Hyogo is working to create an environment that ensures a safe and secure lifestyle for foreign residents.

Facilities Offering Multilingual Services

Kobe boasts a rich natural environment, with the Rokko Mountains in the north and the Seto Inland Sea in the south. Hyogo has the second-largest park area in Japan with approximately 7,098 hectares, including national and municipal parks. These parks provide a space of comfort and relaxation for the residents.

A Calm and Relaxing Living Environment

7

Best Facilities

A Global Innovation Cluster

Kobe Biomedical Innovation Cluster

Supercomputer Fugaku

Harima Science Garden City （SPring-8）

SPring-8

Biomedical Companies/Organizations,World-leading Research FacilitiesWorld-leading research bases featuring advanced science, Kobe Biomedical Innovation Cluster and Harima Science Garden City, are located within only 80 km away from each other.

Cutting-edge biomedical R&D centers, specialized medicalinstitutions with advanced care, universities, and healthcare-related companies have gathered on Kobe Port Island,constituting the Kobe Biomedical Innovation Cluster. As of the end of December 2020, 369 companies and organizations are located here, forming one of Japan’s largestbiomedical clusters. It has the world’s most advanced ongoing research in the fields of drug discovery, regenerative medicine, medical devices, and simulation research, such as research on regenerative medicine featuring the iPS cells and R&D assisted by the supercomputer.

Located in the south-western region of Hyogo, the HarimaScience Garden City is home to a cluster of nanoscale analysisand research facilities, centered around one of the world’s largest synchrotron radiation facilities, SPring-8 (Super PhotonRing-8 GeV). SPring-8 is used not only for academic research but also for industrial use, and is serving many companies. Next to SPring-8, the X-ray Free Electron Laser (XFEL)facility SACLA, developed as a national key technology project,is in operation. These facilities can offer two different kinds of cutting-edge light sources, synchrotron radiation and XFEL,for experiments.

Supercomputer at the Top of World Standards The supercomputer Fugaku, developed by RIKEN as the “post-K”supercomputer, will be utilized widely for basic research and industrial applications after it becomes available to the public in 2021. Nineteen issues from four areas* have been selected underthe“Program for Promoting Researches on the Supercomputer Fugaku”developed by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology with the purpose of producing quick results. It is expected that Fugaku will be utilized to support big data usage, AI, and other various fields.

Advanced Science & Technology Infrastructure for the Manufacturing Industry

Kobe Biomedical Innovation Cluster

SupercomputerFugaku

Cluster of 369

*①Challenges for solving universal problems for mankind or pioneering the future ②Enhancement of initiatives to protectpeople’s lives and properties ③Enhancement of industrial competitiveness ④Research infrastructure

8

Best Start-up ServicesOne-stop

Japan

◎Overseas offices of Hyogo◎Overseas offices of Kobe◎Overseas offices of JETRO

OverseasHyogoPrefecture

Hyogo-Kobe InternationalBusiness Square

Hyogo Pref. Business SupportCenter Tokyo (BSC Tokyo)

◎Hyogo-Kobe Investment Support Center (HKIS)◎City of Kobe　◎JETRO Kobe

ConnectsJapan and the world to collect and share

information

One-stop Services for Establishing a New Business Base

Business Authorizationprocedures Living Consultation

（advice by specialists）

Hyogo set up International Economic Zones under the Business Establishment Promotion Ordinance* to offer incentives, such as tax reduction and subsidies, to foreign/foreign-affiliated companies starting businesses there.It also promotes continuation of business of these companies through initiatives such as interacting opportunitieswith students.

The City of Kobe provides full support to foreign/foreign-affiliated companies through a center that assists the business launches of these companies in Kobe. It also offers ample incentives (office rent subsidy, etc.) incooperation with Hyogo Prefecture.

HKIS provides consultation on various matters for foreign/foreign-affiliated companies that are considering starting a business in Hyogo. It fully supports them by offering information on local business environment, potential office sites, and life in Hyogo and introducing them to specialists as necessary.Kobe Commerce, Industry and Trade Center Bldg. 4F, 5-1-14 Hamabe-dori, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 651-0083Phone: +81-（0）78-271-8400 　 ：hkisc@staff.hyogo-iic.ne.jp

HyogoPrefecture

HKIS

JETRO Kobe

BSC Tokyo

City of Kobe

INVEST INKOBE

Related organizations in Hyogo work together to provide seamless one-stop servicestailored to your needs, from local base establishment to business management.

Business Support

*Ordinance Concerning Invigoration of Economy and Employment through Promotion of Business Establishment

BSC Tokyo is a consultation office for companies in the Tokyo metropolitan area. It provides consultationson the subsidy system, assists with finding potential locations, and offers governmental information such as start-up support measures by the prefecture and municipalities to foreign/foreign-affiliated companies looking for office and factory sites.

To promote foreign direct investment in Japan, JETRO Kobe offers services to support companies establishing a base and expanding business in Japan. Services such as sharing information to foreign/foreign-affiliated companies, individual consultation by specialists, and provision of temporary offices are generally offered free of charge.

Todofuken Kaikan 13F, 2-6-3 Hirakawa-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-0093Phone: +81-（0）3-3230-2721 　 ：hkbsc01@hyogo-kobe.jp

Hyogo Pref. Corporate InvestmentGuide

Government Support of Businesses

etc. etc.◎ Recruiting

◎ Incentives

◎ Industrial complex

◎ Office real estate

etc.◎ Tax affairs

◎ Schools

◎ Hospitals

◎ Housing◎ Establishment of liaison office/branch office/corporation

◎ Free consultation by lawyers, CPAs, and judicial scriveners for companies starting business in Hyogo

◎ Temporary office◎ Applications for business registration/permission

◎ Applications for work visa

Free of charge for up to 50 business days in principle

9

Phase❶Preparation

Phase❷Establishment

Phase❸Development

Phase❹Enhancement

Establishment support subsidy for foreign/foreign-affiliated companies

Office rent subsidy for foreign/foreign-affiliated companies

◎1/2 of market research cost◎Up to 1 million yen/company

Corporate enterprise tax reduction

◎1/2 of corporate registration cost◎Up to 200,000 yen/company

◎1/2 reduction(within the International Economic Zone, occupied floor area of 1,000 ㎡ or more)◎1/3 reduction(employment of 11 or more new full-time workers)

Employment subsidy◎300,000 yen/person, up to 300 million yen　(employment of 11 or more new full-time workers living in 　 Hyogo within 3 years of office establishment)

◎1/2 of office rent(1/4 by the prefecture, 1/4 by city/town)◎Up to 1,500 yen/㎡/month, 2 million yen/year　(by both the prefecture and city/town), 3 years◎Up to 3,000 yen/㎡/month, 20 million yen/year*　(by both the prefecture and city/town), 3 years*In case of employment of 11 or more new full-time workers within 3 years of office establishment

Harima Science Garden City Area

⑨ Harima Science Garden City

Minami-Ashiyahama Area

⑩ Minami-Ashiyahama

Kobe Area

① Sannomiya② HAT Kobe③ Rokko Island④ Port Island Phase I⑤ Port Island Phase II

Himeji Area

⑥ Around Himeji Station⑦ Hirohata⑧ Aboshi

Hyogo

Best Incentives

in the International Economic ZonesHyogo Prefecture has established “International Economic Zones” and Japan’s highest-level incentive (subsidy) system to help business launches of foreign/foreign-affiliated companies go smoothly by reducing the cost for setting up a business base.

Excellent Incentives

If you start a business in the International Economic Zones, set up to promote creating clusters of foreign/foreign-affiliated companies, you will be able to enjoy a wide variety of incentives tailored to your needs, including reduction of corporate enterprise tax, employment subsidy, office rent subsidy, and establishment support subsidy. By utilizing these, you will be able to reduce the costs related to tax and rent and establish a business base in Japanwithout much worry. For details on each program such as subsidy amount, please check the attached“Outline of incentive programs forestablishing businesses under the‘Ordinance Concerning Invigoration of Economy and Employment through Promotion of Business Establishment.’”

Supported by Japan’s Highest-level Incentive System for Business Starters

Incentive Programs Based on the Business Establishment Promotion Ordinance

International Economic Zones

The Appeals ofHyogo:

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