Press Releases

1. On March 2, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan held the "Global Business Seminar -“Program for Promotion of Foreign Direct Investment in Japan 2025”-, in cooperation with the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), the Cabinet Office, and the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), both in person and online.
2. At this seminar, government officials introduced the overview and specific measures of the “Program for Promotion of Foreign Direct Investment in Japan 2025,” the latest package of measures formulated with the aim of expanding foreign direct investment in Japan, in order to widely disseminate the appeal of investing in Japan and its regions from overseas. Local governments also presented their specific support measures for attracting foreign investment. Approximately 160 people participated, including representatives of Embassies in Tokyo, government and local government officials, and business representatives.

Mr. HORII Iwao, State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, delivered opening remarks. He explained that as part of its efforts to "strengthen and enrich the Japanese archipelago," the government has set a goal of 150 trillion yen by the mid-2030s and is working to promote sound FDI (Foreign Direct Investment), and that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is also implementing such efforts through its overseas diplomatic missions. He also stated that Japan will continue to work together to attract foreign direct investment to Japan, taking advantage of opportunities such as last year's Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan and GREENxEXPO 2027, which will open in Yokohama in March 2027.

Mr. IWATA Kazuchika, State Minister of Cabinet Office, then delivered the keynote speech. State Minister IWATA stated that the government aims to strengthen Japan's supply structure by promoting public and private investment, particularly in 17 strategic sectors, and to create a circulation of global capital toward Japan. He then touched on the current state of inward FDI in Japan, which stands at approximately 53.3 trillion yen as of the end of 2024, and gave an overview of the "Program for Promotion of Foreign Direct Investment in Japan 2025," which includes support measures in strategic fields such as GX, DX, and life sciences, as well as the development of the investment environment, including reviews of legal, accounting, and tax systems. He also expressed his hope that the new investment opportunities brought about by these government initiatives will capture the interest of both domestic and international companies.

The following three speakers provided specific explanations of the initiatives outlined in the " Program for Promotion of Foreign Direct Investment in Japan 2025."

1. Mr. SHIMIZU Juntaro, Director of GX Investment Promotion Division, GX Group, METI, referring that Japan places importance on promoting GX in order to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, stated that the emissions trading system (GX-ETS) has been experimentally launched, and that sector-specific investment strategies in 16 priority sectors have been formulated. He also explained about the creation of industrial clusters through the GX Strategic Zone, aiming to create new industrial clusters. In addition he explained that METI is promoting financial support to overseas companies and partnering with global funds to expand foreign direct investment in the GX sector.
2. Mr. KAWAGUCHI Tsukasa, Counselor for Innovation Policy, Secretariat of Science, Technology and Innovation Policy, Cabinet Office, stated that investment in Japanese startups has increased approximately tenfold from 2014 to 2022, and that the government is supporting further promotion through programs such as the Startup City Project, the Global Startup Acceleration Program, and the Japanese version of SBIR (Small/Startup Business Innovation Research), as well as providing support for fundraising from overseas.
3. Mr. MAEKAWA Naoyuki, Director-General, Innovation Department, JETRO, presented specific success stories of foreign companies expanding into Japan and its regions, as well as JETRO's support initiatives, such as the "European Innovation Council (EIC)-JETRO Europe Innovation Challenge" and "Japan Entry Acceleration Program (JEAP)." He also stated that JETRO will continue to utilize its accumulated know-how to actively support the expansion of foreign companies into Japan and its regions through programs such as the international collaboration platform J-Bridge.

Two local governments actively welcoming foreign companies explained their specific efforts to attract investment.

1. Ms. KURAMOCHI Tomoko, Director for Innovation Promotion Division, Economic Affairs Bureau, City of Yokohama, touched on Yokohama's attractive business environment, such as its accessibility and affordable office rents, and introduced the city's initiatives, including TECH HUB YOKOHAMA, a support center for technology startups. She also touched on GREENxEXPO 2027, which will open in March 2027, and discussed the city's history of hosting international conferences.
2. Mr. NAKAMURA Taishi, Director, Business Attraction Section, Investment Promotion Department, Economy, Tourism & Culture Bureau, Fukuoka City Government, explained that Fukuoka City has introduced engineer visas in the IT and semiconductor fields, aiming to make Fukuoka a "city where engineers gather, thrive, and grow." He also explained the city's startup support, business matching support, excellent living environment, and accessibility.

At the end of the seminar, Mr. INO Toshiro, State Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, delivered closing remarks. State Minister Ino stated that the Japanese government aims to realize a "strong economy." To this end, the public and private sectors are working together to achieve domestic investment targets of 135 trillion yen by fiscal year 2030 and 200 trillion yen by fiscal year 2040. He also emphasized the importance of foreign investment in expanding investment. In addition he also stated that, with the aim of attracting highly skilled human resources, technology and know-how from overseas through inward direct investment in Japan, thereby revitalizing the Japanese economy and generating innovation, the Japanese government will work with JETRO to support overseas companies in establishing bases in Japan, promote collaboration between Japanese and overseas companies, and provide support to regions working to attract inward investment.