May 2024

For immediate release(Translated into English from original Japanese)- Succeeded in attracting 34 foreign investments; a significant increase fromlast year with the upcoming World Expo -FY2023 performance of Osaka Business and Investment
Center (O-BIC)【Contact】
Osaka Business and Investment Center (O-BIC) (International Division, OCCI)
Tel: +81-6-6944-6298 (Persons in charge: Mr. Takeda, Mr Shimizu)■ Investment Trend

5046[New investment]

4542 4240383632 32 322830

3835

3335

2320192013 141050New–343024 25 24

2515678

18750700650600550500450400350300250200150100500[Cumulative total]

Number of foreign investment cases
faciliated by O-BIC

CumulativeO-BIC facilitated 34 cases of investment in Osaka by foreign companies in FY2023.
This is a significant increase from the previous fiscal year (23 cases) and thehighest number since FY2020. With EXPO 2025 Osaka-Kansai approaching,Osaka is attracting attention from both within Japan and overseas. The Osaka
Prefectural and City Governments have applied together for designation as a“Special Zone for Financial and Asset Management” to be established by thenational government, in preparation for creating an environment conducive toforeign business. The number of inquiries to O-BIC was 192, also a significant
increase over the previous year (151).

–The majority of inquiries were from East Asia, with 70 from China (including HongKong), 23 from South Korea, and 12 from Taiwan; a total of 20 inquiries were fromSoutheast Asian countries such as Singapore, the Philippines, and Malaysia.

–

Looking at the 34 investment cases by country/region, China (including HongKong) has the most with 13 (10 in the previous year), followed by South Korea with11 (7 in the previous year), and then Taiwan, the US, and the UAE with two each(three in Taiwan, 0 in the US, and 0 in the UAE in the previous year). There wasinvestment from one company each from Singapore, Mongolia, the UK, andGermany, indicating that although the majority of companies were from East Asia,companies from a variety of countries and regions invested in Osaka.

–Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, in which some 160 countries and regions haveannounced their participation, is bringing Osaka and the world closer together inbusiness. The relatively lower cost of doing business in Osaka compared to Tokyoin terms of land prices, rents, and labor costs has spurred foreign companies toinvest in the region. Taking advantage of this opportunity, O-BIC plans to continue
to actively promote the inviting of foreign capital investment to Osaka.

–The cumulative total number of investment cases over the 23 years since theestablishment of O-BIC to FY 2023 is 678. The top three countries/regions were thesame as last year: China with 282 (including Hong Kong), South Korea with 124,and the US with 51.

■ Characteristics of investments(1) Steady investment from East Asia
In FY2023, there were 13 investments from China (including Hong Kong), 11 fromSouth Korea, 2 from Taiwan, and 1 from Mongolia; East Asia accounted for about
80% (27) of the total (34). Of the 27 cases, about 50% were related to theimport/export of consumer goods such as cosmetics and clothing, and capital
goods such as industrial parts and materials, while 25% were in the service sector,
such as restaurants and consulting. In addition, Taiwan Semiconductor
Manufacturing Corporation (TSMC), one of the world’s largest semiconductor
contract manufacturers, opened an R&D center in Osaka in 2022 and built a plantin Kumamoto Prefecture in 2024, indicating a likely increase in the number of its
related companies in Japan.
(2) Investment by foreign companies in connection with Expo 2025
Osaka/Kansai
As foreign companies doing business related to the Osaka World Expo in 2025,
three companies have invested in Osaka: PICO Osaka (UAE) handles overall
MICE business, including logistics and distribution, as well as the operation of theExpo pavilion and Expo-related major international events; BEYOND LIMITS(UAE) builds and operates Expo pavilions; and World Expo Exhibition Association
Corporation (China) organizes Expo-related exhibitions and ticket sales. Expo2025 Osaka-Kansai is expected to create new business opportunities, including

opportunities to participate in exhibitions and business meetings both within andoutside the Expo site.
(3) Investment by foreign companies specializing in life sciences, one of Osaka’s
strengths
Bioswamp Co., Ltd. (China) has entered the Osaka market. The Company offersa range of products, including high-quality antibodies, recombinant proteins, andreagent kits for life science research institutions and biotechnology companies. It
covers cutting-edge areas of modern life science research in gut microbiota,cancer, immunology, neuroscience, cardiovascular disease, tumor stem cells,epigenetics, endocrinology, metabolism, etc.
(4) Entry of overseas startups
Osaka has developed a startup ecosystem that supports both domestic andforeign startups. New entrants to the Osaka market included Singapore-based
Koh & Associates LLC, a provider of data science consulting services and training,and US-based Botminds Japan Inc, a provider of AI-based big data analysis andextraction systems.

■ Major companies investing in Osaka
Chang Hwa Bank (Taiwan: Kita-ku, Osaka)
URL:
https://www.bankchb.com/frontend /index.html
Business:
Company facilitating residential and commercial real estate loantransactions in the Kansai region, primarily for Taiwanese investors.
Provider of working capital loans to Taiwanese SMEs in the Kansai
region.
O-BIC’s support: Provided information
Kawatek K.K. (USA: Suminoe-ku, Osaka)
URL:
https://kawatek.jp/
Business:
Advanced healthcare technology company specializing in thedevelopment and manufacture of bionic prosthetics and artificial eyes
based on intelligent brain control accompanied by autonomous
rehabilitation systems. It provides services from Japan on a global
scale. Through advanced human augmentation technology andbreakthrough solutions, it aims to enrich people’s lives.
O-BIC’s support: Assisted in matching with other companies
Koh & Associates LLC (Singapore: Fujiidera City)
URL:
https://danthescientist.com/
Business:
Specializing in Excel automation, report generation, data science andartificial intelligence development, data analysis, provision ofSingapore market information, and various consulting services.
Hosting seminars on topics such as streamlining data entry,
leveraging machine and deep learning technologies, and more.
O-BIC’s support: Introduced experts; supported promotional activities

PICO Osaka Co., Ltd. (UAE: Suminoe-ku, Osaka City)
URL:
https://jp.pico.com/ja/
Business:
As a foreign company involved in business related to Expo 2025
Osaka/Kansai, handles all aspects of MICE operations, including
logistics and distribution, as well as the operation of Expo pavilions
and large-scale international events related to the Expo.
O-BIC’s support: Provided information

- Overview of O-BIC and its activities in FY 2023 ■ About O-BIC
The Osaka Business and Investment Center (O-BIC) was established in 2001 jointly by theOsaka Prefectural Government, the Osaka Municipal Government, and the Osaka Chamber ofCommerce and Industry as a one-stop support hub to promote foreign direct investment inOsaka. (Secretariat: International Division, OCCI)■ Overview of O-BIC’s Activities in FY2023

Investments Handled by O-BIC
FY

Inquires

FDIs
handledSupportprogramusers

2001

30013-

2002

273

14-

2003

16433-

2004

14124-

2005

15825-

2006

17524-200713936-

2008

117

28112009

137

1912

2010

10132182011

1233215

2012

94

32

1320139730

14201411338252015

137

4623

2016

118

3824

2017

135

42

23

- Conducted the first “Osaka Online Tour” to promote Osaka’sbusiness environment and advantages to businesses andforeign diplomatic missions in Japan and abroad; Disseminatedinformation on the attractive features of Osaka and EXPO 2025
Osaka/Kansai;

2018

167

4223

2019

193

35

16

2020

176

20

92021

115

18

13

- On the occasion of the G7 Trade Ministers’ Meeting in OSAKASAKAI, held a meeting with the Chambers of Commerce andIndustry in Japan of G7 participating countries as a G7 side
event to promote investment in Japan.

2022

151

23112023

192

3411Total

3516

678

261

- O-BIC proactively facilitated investment in Osaka and promoted
the prefecture in cooperation with the Osaka International
Business Promotion Center, JETRO Osaka, the Kansai Bureauof Economy, Trade and Industry, and other Osaka-basedorganizations that promote investment in Japan;- With the resumption of human traffic to and from overseas, OBIC saw a significant increase in the number of inquiries,
especially from other Asian countries;- O-BIC participated in more than 70 events and information
sessions in Japan and abroad, and promoted the attractivenessof Osaka’s investment environment and O-BIC’s services,while also utilizing social networking services;- Accompanied top promoters sent by the City of Osaka tovarious countries. In Chicago, USA and Melbourne, Australia,
O-BIC introduced Osaka and O-BIC’s activities and proposedcooperation with local organizations;- Hosted the “Global Innovation Forum” and helped attract
overseas startups to Osaka through business matching;- Held the “Kansai International Exchange Program; Viewing &Briefing of Maishima Incineration Plant and Advanced Energy
Technology” to strengthen ties with consulates general andconsulates in the Kansai region;＜Further Reading＞① List of investments handled by O-BIC in FY2023② Matrix of investments handled by O-BIC in FY2023③ Investments handled by O-BIC between FY2001 andFY2023 (for 23 years)

Support Program: An
incentive program
offered by O-BIC toencourage investment inOsaka by reducing theburden of registration costs(up to a maximum of¥100,000).