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Background

There are numerous reasons for wishing to do business with or in Japan: according to the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), Japan is a growing economy, a sophisticated market and an innovative hub. Japan has enormous potential to become a regional centre for R&D in Asia, and enjoys an unparalleled reputation for excellence in R&D among Western and Asian businesses. Japan also plays an important role as a “bridge nation” between the East and the West, connecting Asian enterprises and markets with the West. Finally, Japan enjoys a reputation as a trend setter due to its status as a cultural superpower and Japanese consumers’ sensitivity to fashion. This makes Japan the ideal test market before entering other Asian markets, owing to the fact that Japan heavily influences trends for fashion and entertainment in the rest of the Asia-Pacific region.

JETRO, Investing in Japan

Additionally, Japan’s government has provided incentives to companies bringing high value-added activities such as R&D and regional headquarters business. Among the latest measures unveiled by the 2020 tax reform, one may cite the "Open innovation tax incentives" and the "Tax incentives for 5G technology". In tandem with this, the government has accelerated visa-issuing procedures and is offering subsidies to international companies in order to cover some of the costs of establishing themselves in Japan.

JETRO, Incentive Programs
MOF, Tax Reform

Japan is a particularly attractive market for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). SMEs are the backbone of the Japanese economy, accounting for 99.7% of all enterprises and 70% of all employees in Japan. Famous Japanese multinationals such as Toyota, Honda and Sony all began as small regional companies and the majority of products made by large enterprises are made up of parts produced by SME subcontractors. SMEs are therefore the lifeblood of the Japanese economy, and can play a major role in the revitalization of the Japanese economy and the creation of future employment opportunities.

SME Support Japan
Small and Medium Enterprise Agency-METI, Support for SMEs' New Business Activities in Japan
 

 

Picture: Ground-plan of the Dutch trade-post on the island Dejima at Nagasaki, 1824-25
Picture copyright: Wikipedia of public domain

Economic Overview
Third largest economy in the world, Japan had a GDP worth 539,071.6 billion JPY in 2020.
Education
The Japanese education system depends heavily on private funding and, while secondary schools are of a good standard, higher education is losing ground at an international level.
General Data
Japan is a representative democracy consisting of 47 prefectures. The country's Constitution dates from 1947 and is the result of an amendment to the Constitution of the Meiji era.
Geography & Culture
Japan is quite isolated in geographical terms and, as is often the case with island countries, many of Japan’s cultural traits and its differences from overseas neighbours are attributed to this geographic isolation.
Political Highlights
Japan is a constitutional democracy with a parliamentary government and a separation of the legislative, executive and judiciary powers.
Society & Culture
Japan is one of the world’s leading cultural superpowers, with some of the greatest contributions to animated film, art, fashion.
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