Economy

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.

HOKKAIDO PREFECTURE

Main City: Sapporo                                                      

Population: 5,384,000 people, ranking 8/47 prefecture (2015) [1]

Area: 83,456 km² [2]

Geographical / Landscape description

Third largest economy in the world, Japan had a GDP worth 5082 billion US dollars in 2019, a value that represented 4.22% of the world economy. The country is also a high-tech powerhouse economy in Asia: in fiscal year 2018, the expenditures on research and development (R&D) in Japan reached approximately 19.5 trillion Japanese yen, equating 3.6% of the country's GDP. Exports are an important growth driver of Japan, the external demand accounting for 18.5% of its total GDP in 2018.

OKINAWA PREFECTURE

Main City: Naha

Population: 1,434,000 people, ranking 25/47 prefectures (2015) [1]

Area: 2,271 km² [2]

Geographical / Landscape description

KAGOSHIMA PREFECTURE

Main City: Kagoshima

Population: 1,649,000 people, ranking 24/47 prefectures (2015) [1]

Area: 9,132 km² [2]

Geographical / Landscape description

MIYAZAKI PREFECTURE

Main City: Miyazaki

Population: 1,104,000 people ranking 36/47 prefecture (2015) [1]

Area: 7,735 km² [2]

Geographical / Landscape description