Osaka is a free and open city filled with a progressive mindset, where it has nurtured many entrepreneurs and merchants who have significantly contributed to the development of the Japanese economy by applying their unique ideas to create new products and services. The gross regional product for Osaka City is about 143 billion dollars (nominal, as of 2017), making it the second largest city in Japan, and coming right after the Tokyo Special Wards Area. Also there are about 180,000 business establishments here that are actively involved with economic activities.

In aim of sustaining economic growth, the Osaka City Government is making efforts to create innovation, foster growing industries as well as promote SMEs that support Osaka's economy.

Creating a virtuous cycle where innovations are born one after another

In constructing and strengthening an innovation ecosystem while maximizing urban potential, the Osaka City Government established the Osaka Innovation Hub (OIH) at the Knowledge Capital, a base for intellectual creation in the Umekita Area. With the aim to support entrepreneur-related activities in creating new products and services, the OIH as a base spreads information and hosts innovation-themed events such as the Global Innovation Conference Hack Osaka, ideathons and hackathons which all provide opportunities for investors and aspiring entrepreneurs from Japan and abroad to build expansive networks.
Additionally, the Osaka City Government is working with Kyoto and Kobe to realize powerful synergies in order to develop a startup ecosystem while taking advantage of support of the national government in connection with the city’s selection by the Cabinet Office in July 2020 as a “Startup Ecosystem Global Hub City.”

As a result of efforts by the Osaka City Government to encourage companies, including those that emphasize open innovation and help ventures grow to make inroads into the city through the Subsidy Program for Establishing Innovation Base in Osaka, it’s working to facilitate open innovation and other progress at those new facilities.

Designated frameworks such as the National Strategic Special Zone and Kansai Innovation Comprehensive Global Strategic Special Zone will be implemented to advance efforts in establishing and accumulating companies that specialize in life sciences and green energy.

Focusing on the "5G X LAB OSAKA," which opened in October 2020 at the Soft Industry Plaza TEQS, it strives to support small and medium-sized and start-up enterprises that are exploring 5G (5th generation mobile communication system) applications and strives to produce new 5G-based products and services, and also provides support in developing entrepreneurs, building business plans, and conducting demonstration experiments in the IoT and robotics fields, which are projected to achieve major advances in the future.

The field of life sciences is highly advanced in Osaka and the Kansai region. The World Expo to be held in Osaka in 2025 (Osaka, Kansai Expo) under the theme “Designing Future Society for Our Lives” is expected to help facilitate the creation of innovations for new tourism and industries throughout the Kansai region and make significant contributions to the further development of industries and medicine, leaving a legacy that will contribute to healthier and more enriching lifestyles for residents.

Bringing economic dynamism through the growth and development of SMEs

The Osaka City Government’s Business Innovation Center Osaka is a support base for SMEs. It provides support on various business matters such as strengthening management capabilities, entering into growing fields, and developing sales channels in Japan and abroad. The Osaka Research Institute of Industrial Science and Technology, a technical support base, gives technical consultations and provides support for joint developments and practical applications.

International networks with sister cities and business partner cities (BPCs) are utilized to support activities of expanding businesses overseas.

Strategic promotion of Osaka as the ideal place for MICE events

Osaka is not only home to Kansai International Airport which operates 24/7 and serves as the gateway to the Kansai region, but also offers MICE facilities of various sizes and functions where many exhibitions, trade fairs, and international conferences are held throughout the year.

MICE events have the potential to attract visitors, enhance international recognition and brand power for host cities, as well as create business and innovation opportunities for the area where events are held.

The Osaka City Government is working to attract MICE events based on Osaka's MICE Attraction Strategy formulated in March 2023. By leveraging the impact of the Osaka-Kansai Expo, in collaboration with the Osaka Prefectural Government, industry, the Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau, and MICE-related businesses, we aim to attract mainly international conferences, exhibitions, and events that are expected to boost academic and business opportunities in particular.