For the Future of the Kansai Economy～METI-Kansai Initiatives to Support Innovation～
September 12, 2022

Yoichi HOSOKAWA
Director General
International Affairs Department
Kansai Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry, METI
(METI-Kansai)

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Contents

1. Direction of Innovation Policy in Japan
2. The Base for Innovation in Kansai Region
3. METI-Kansai Initiatives to Support Innovation
4. EXPO 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan2

1. Direction of Innovation Policyin Japan3

骨太の方針2022からの抜粋

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(2) Investment in science, technology and innovation• Drive drastic expansion of investment in quantum technologies,
AI, biotechnology, and medical fields through public-privatecollaboration.
• Give greater focus on the fields of space and ocean.

• Establish a governance system and implement regulatory reforms todevelop globally competitive research universities; drasticallystrengthen strategic management of regional core universities, etc.,
through means such as government-industry academia collaboration.
• Strongly promote the support for young human resources (deepeningof measures to help them devote themselves to research,
vitalization of international global brain circulation including theprogressive implementation of the “Tobitate! (Leap for Tomorrow) Study
Abroad Initiative” program).

5(3) Investment in startups(new establishments)• Clarify the “control tower” function to implement the investment,
formulate a five-year startup development plan by the end of thisyear to increase by 10 times in five years.
• Provide an environment that facilitates fund procurement (reviewof the IPO process, expansion of venture capital investment).
• Develop and secure human resources who can support startups;
support the matching of management talents, etc., with startups.

• Support R&D and sales channel cultivation, vitalize open innovation.

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(4) Investment in green transformation (GX)
• Formulate a roadmap to decarbonization by the end of the year
based on the clean energy strategy interim report under public–privatepartnerships.
• To realize a public-private investment of more than 150 trillion yen,consider rasing prior government funds through ”GX Economy
Transition Bonds (tentative name)”, backed by future financial
resources and providing investment support in a foreseeable manner,
while enbpdying the vision of “Pro-Growth Carbon Pricing.”• Embody the “investment promotion measure that integrates
regulation and support”, develop step-by-step and utilize the GX League,
make use of transition finance and other novel financial techniques.
• Accelerate regional decarbonization (develop human resources,decarbonize corporate management, provide funds, etc.).

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(5) Investment in digital transformation (DX)
• Review laws and regulations, etc., based on the plan tocomprehensively review regulations in accordance with digital principles
within the next three years in order to achieve compliance with theDigital Principles.
• Self-driving cars and eVTOL (electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing),
DX and standardization in the fields of logistics and people flow, MaaS,
technology roadmap, looking into ways to resolve vendor lock-in,
Cyber Security Strategy.
• Promote digitalization of administrative procedures, promote
the use of Individual Number Card (“My Number Card”).
• Develop data platforms for medical care, long-term care, etc.

• Revise the Local Government DX Promotion Plan, promote thedigitalization of local governments.

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