We're delighted to announce that we’re representing the Ibaraki Prefectural Government in Japan, to help them promote incentives for European businesses to set up a presence in the region – particularly in the vibrant science hub of Tsukuba City.
Just 45 minutes from Tokyo by train, and close to Narita International Airport, Tsukuba City is the heartland of Japan's strategic R&D. The region has the densest accumulation of science technology in all of Japan, with approximately 150 public and private institutions and enterprises, and more than 30% of the nation's research and education facilities – including RIKEN (Japan’s largest comprehensive research institution), and the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science & Technology (AIST).
The Ibaraki Prefectural Government now wants to build on this domestic success story by attracting foreign companies – and we’re working closely with Ibaraki to identify companies that are interested in setting up in the area.
What benefits are on offer?
Western companies interested in setting up in the Prefecture are eligible for a range of incentives including:
- Joint research trial subsidies
- Startup visa sponsorship
- Subsidies for establishing a project facility
- Business matching support, helping match foreign companies with appropriate research institutions and other partners in the Prefecture
- Access to low-cost incubation facilities at the Tsukuba Center or Tsukuba Start Up Park, in the heart of Tsukuba’s science community
For full eligibility and benefit details, please refer to Ibaraki’s explanatory PDF here.
Ultimately, Ibaraki aims to provide overseas companies – particularly those in life sciences – with a low-risk, low-cost route to set up their first operations in the Japanese market.
Who is eligible?
Tsukuba has a strong history in areas such as life sciences, robotics and IoT – and is looking to attract companies with a strong track record in these areas. Ideal companies should either have an interest in establishing a new office in Japan, or in conducting R&D projects with universities, laboratories, businesses, and other institutions in the Prefecture.
Interested?
If you’d be interested to learn more, we’d be delighted to hear about your project and talk through the types of support available. Please get in touch with David Peacock: