Policies of the Economic Strategy Bureau

About the Economic Strategy Bureau

 〇 Main Management Challenges

 〇 Core Strategies to Management Challenges

Strategy

 〇 Strategy 1

• Global Innovating Creation Support Program
• Special Zones Promotion
• Introducing Osaka's investment landscape; identifying and approaching promising companies and universities as investment recipients; and helping companies enter new markets
• Enhancing the city's international network and promoting international business exchange
• Program to foster growth and horizontal mobility of innovation personnel
• Osaka Top-Runners Enhancement Program
• IoT and Robot Business Creation Program
• Advanced Technology Demonstration Project Support Program
• Support for creating fostering creative industries
• TEQS Software Industry Plaza
• 5G X LAB

 ② Revitalizing SMEs and fostering leaders to achieve economic success

• Support for developing management skills at the Business Innovation Center Osaka
• Funding support for SMEs
• Technical support by Osaka Research Institute of Industrial Science and Technology
• Project to support and attract new exhibitions
• Support accommodated to regional conditions and characteristics for shopping streets and manufacturing companies
• Osaka Techno Master Program

 ③ Attracting strategic MICE events and practicing tourism-focused urban development

• Attracting strategic MICE events
• Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau's promotion of tourism development

 〇 Strategy 2

  ① Boosting urban appeal with tourism measures

• Promoting "water" and "Light" in urban development
• Transforming the Osaka Castle Area into a tourism hub
• Revitalizing Midosuji Boulevard
• Boosting Tennoji Park and Zoo appeal
• Improving Osaka/Umeda Station area signage
• Improving tourist hospitality
• Travel Service Center SHIN-OSAKA

  ② Boosting urban appeal with cultural measures

• Operation of the Nakanoshima Museum of Art,Osaka
• Nakanoshima Children's Book Forest Management Project
• Boosting Osaka City Museum of Fine Arts appeal
• Traditional performing art, Bunraku, Revitalization Project

  ③ Boosting Osaka's urban appeal through sports measures

• Maishima Sports Revitalization Program
• Osaka Marathon

※ Osaka Urban Attraction Development Strategy 2025

The City of Osaka's International Network

 〇 Exchanges with Sister Cities

• Sister Cities / Friendship Cities
• Friendship Cooperation Cities
• Business Partner Cities
• Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
• Sister Ports / Friendship Ports
• Overseas Office
• Creating and maintaining a living environment hospitable to residents of all nationalities

Duties and Responsibilities of Divisions and Departments

The Economic Strategy Bureau is committed to achieving sustainable economic growth in Osaka by attracting people, goods, and investments from around the world.

To achieve this major objective, the Bureau strives to not only enhance Osaka’s unique business and urban appeal, but also assist with the growth and development of companies by undertaking initiatives to support innovation that creates new value.

We are carrying out strategic efforts to address management challenges such as the following:

• To address the severity of increasing COVID-19 infections, various countermeasures are underway such as assisting business owners who are trying to maintain operations; supporting those who are adapting to the new normal lifestyle or new business environment; and revitalizing the local economy by organizing campaign events that encourage consumer spending and demand.

• Refining and enhancing the business environment
• Leveraging the accumulation and collaboration of industry, academia, and government in fields such as green energy and life sciences to support innovation in the Kansai region
• Strengthening support measures as well as attaining enrichment in promising growth fields that Osaka specializes in 
• Advancing a range of support policies that will help resolve management issues by facilitating goals such as strengthening the management foundation of SMEs, increasing productivity, and expanding businesses
• Rejuvenating the regional economy with a new generation of leaders by promoting entrepreneurship
• Attracting MICE events with a major impact on the economy and promoting the tourism industry to help broaden its base
• Advancing policies related to urban appeal in tourism, culture, and sports as well as spreading information on Osaka’s urban appeal

○   In accordance with the national government’s economic measures and Osaka Prefecture’s support measures, we check on the situations concerning local businesses. Subsequently, essential support measures will be implemented toward maintaining local business operations as well as reforming practice of business activities.
○   To create a startup ecosystem that can become one of the world’s finest in optimally fostering continuous innovations, we look to endeavor with the following strengths: 

• The area’s accumulation of companies and research institutes in fields such as green energy and life sciences
• Osaka’s role as the Kansai region’s core city in fostering innovation support facilities (such as the Osaka Innovation Hub [OIH])

• Resolving management and technological issues

• Developing sales channels

• Encouraging entrepreneurship

• Raising funds, etc.

• Attracting and supporting MICE events with potential that can substantially benefit the economy
• Reinforcing urban development in tourism-focused areas that corresponds to further enhancing domestic visitor attraction and accommodating international tourist trends

• To concurrently prevent serious infections while carrying out business activities, countermeasures will be implemented to revive inflows of domestic visitors and reinstate urban vibrancy; encourage consumer spending in local areas; as well as restore the vigor of cultural and artistic activities.
• We are revitalizing the region and its economy by optimally applying the private sector’s dynamic energy through urban appeal policies that are jointly implemented by the Osaka Prefectural and City Governments.

For Osaka to transform into a wondrous innovation city that consolidates worldwide intellect and enables a continuous flow of innovative creations, we are working together with the Osaka Prefectural Government and business community to realize this objective. In correspondence to the national government's recruitment process on "Strategies for creation of startup system to compete with the world top ecosystems", the Keihanshin (Kyoto-Osaka-Kobe) consortium was successfully chosen to represent as a "global startup city." With the backing from the national government, here in Kansai we strive to construct a robust startup consortium that optimally leverages synergies and further promotes regional strengths in the life sciences field.

To develop a genuine ecosystem that propels innovation, the City of Osaka aims to gather talented individuals, information, and funding from Japan and all over the globe. Thus, we implemented the Global Innovation Creation Support Program at the Osaka Innovation Hub (OIH) - a base for intellectual creation located within the Knowledge Capital at the Umekita area.

As part of a mechanism to amass investors and entrepreneurs from near and afar, the aims of this facility are advancing international conferences and personnel exchanges, supporting project creation, as well as expanding industry-academia collaboration that prompts university participation. There is also the OIH Seed Acceleration Program (OSAP), which is geared to identify and accelerate the growth of promising new startups. Furthermore, we contribute to other select funds that creates synergies with our initiatives.

We strive to take advantage of Osaka’s metropolitan potential to bolster its ability to contribute to Japan’s redevelopment and growth.

To improve a business environment that maintains a competitive edge over other major cities of Asia and the world, we are also fully implementing in our business scene the benefits of the Japanese Government’s special zones systems such as the National Strategic Special Zone and Kansai Innovation International Strategic Comprehensive Special Zone.

In 2014, Osaka Prefecture, Hyogo Prefecture, and Kyoto Prefecture were collectively designated as the Kansai Region, a National Strategic Special Zone. We are collaborating with the Japanese Government, other local authorities and private sector to offer regulatory reforms and tax incentives, strengthening the city’s competitiveness to achieve a favorable business environment.

With regards to the Kansai Innovation International Strategic Comprehensive Special Zone, initiatives are being carried out in Osaka Station Zone and the Yumeshima/Sakishima Zone to build international bases that will foster innovation in the fields of medicine, the environment, and energy. The Osaka Prefectural and City Governments are jointly implementing tax measures that offer up to full local tax reduction.

Through utilizing the international network and collaborating with Osaka Business and Investment Center (O-BIC, jointly founded by  Osaka Prefectural and City Governments and Osaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry), we emphasize on distributing a variety of information that relates to Osaka’s investment environment as well as creating opportunities to invite aspiring companies.

After identifying and approaching promising companies and universities as investment recipients, we elaborate on the features of Osaka by holding corporate relocation seminars.

In addition to establishing consultation counters for companies considering to begin a business in Osaka, we also have the Business Support Office (BSO). This facility not only supports companies looking to establish a presence in the city, but it also provides information about available sites and properties.

Osaka Investment Promotion and Support Site (INVEST OSAKA Promotional Support Site)

By fully utilizing the city’s international network and applying the diplomatic expertise that Osaka has accumulated up to this point, we aim to present the City of Osaka’s top-level promotions through receiving and engaging in constructive discussions with distinguished guests from abroad, as well as fostering exchanges with sister cities and other related affiliations. This as a whole inspires more business exchanges and also strengthens Osaka’s international competitiveness.　

1. Sister cities / Friendship cities (total of 7)
    São Paulo, Chicago, Shanghai, Melbourne, St. Petersburg, Milan, Hamburg
2. Friendship cooperation cities (total of 3)
    Buenos Aires, Budapest, Busan
3. Business partner cities (total of 14)
    Hong Kong, Singapore, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Jakarta, Seoul, Shanghai, Ho Chi Minh City, Mumbai, Melbourne, Tianjin, Auckland, Hamburg
4. Sister ports / Friendship ports (total of 7)
    Port of San Francisco, Port of Melbourne, Port of Le Havre, Port of Shanghai, Port of Valparaiso, Port of Busan, Port of Saigon
5. Overseas offices
    Shanghai Office

By utilizing global connections acquired from our business partner cities and the Shanghai Office, we aim to provide overseas information through seminars and collaborate with relevant organizations to organize business meetings with international companies. In addition, we dispatch overseas development supporters experienced in international business to assist with SME activities on the global stage.

When diplomats and other esteemed guests from abroad visit Osaka, we extend our best form of international courtesy to them. These meetings allow our mayor and other city officials of special positions to make top-level promotions of Osaka as well as exchange opinions on matters relating to government measures. Events such as the Kansai Diplomats Seminar allow us to reaffirm our strong friendships with the consulates-general and other international agencies situated in the Kansai region.

This program facilitates horizontal mobility by matching key personnel from large companies with up-and-coming SMEs and startups, fostering talent growth of those in the forefront of innovation and accelerating growth of SMEs and startups.

This program identifies and certifies projects involving products and services that have the potential to create new demand in fields such as medicine, nursing care, and health care. Coordinators are assigned to certified projects to provide ongoing, custom-tailored support in response to issues encountered at each stage of the project. We also host various events such as workshops and exchange sessions to promote the creation of new businesses by SMEs.

Participants can learn more about IoT businesses through our 4-month program, which covers topics ranging from basic technological knowledge to business model development.

IoT and robotics businesses can conduct trials and give demonstrations at a large multi-purpose complex known as the ATC, and at sports facilities used by professional teams in Maishima. We also coordinate these projects to help ensure their effectiveness by establishing consultation counters, offering professional advice, assisting with formulation of action plans, and coordinating with facility managers.

In order to help companies develop higher-added-value products and services, it is crucial to strengthen the competitiveness of creative industries such as design, advertising, and video and to foster collaboration between creative industries and other sectors. To that end, aside from implementing a variety of programs, the Creative Network Center Mebic was also established to help build a community of creators and companies.

Specifically, these programs include forming creator networks, matching creators with manufacturing companies, and attracting creators through forum events. We strive to equip creators with production skills needed to initiate new businesses and to boost the sophistication and added value of existing businesses.

On October 1, 2020 the "5G X LAB OSAKA" consisting of exhibition/hands-on corners and experimentation lab, was established through public-private collaboration in aim of promoting 5G technology-driven businesses.

At this facility, visitors can receive demonstrations on how 5G is applied in everyday life, as well as verifying various products and services corresponding to 5G connectivity. Business support is offered to coordinate technical matchings and expansion of co-creation objectives.

At the Business Innovation Center Osaka (Osaka Sangyo Sozokan), consideration is taken into account of the ever-changing  socio-economic trends and ongoing infectious disease countermeasures. Moreover, as a central base for small-medium sized enterprises, substantial efforts will be exerted to offer more optimal, fundamental services to these relevant enterprises. To offer a variety of business opportunities to SMEs and startups that aspire to pursue new business practices, we conduct programs that actively incorporate talented personnel from the private sector to help resolve management issues as well as devise management reforms.

We also hold seminars for participants who are aspiring to start their own business, where they can obtain general knowledge on how to develop business and financial plans, and responding to challenges related to starting businesses. This type of exchange supports the creation of a new business network that encourages cordial interaction amongst participants.

From May 2019, a contact window was established to provide information and advice to foreign nationals who are striving to start their own businesses in Osaka City. 

This program utilizes SME management consultants who provide consultation via the Internet, telephone and in person on specialized fields such as marketing, accounting and taxation, human resources and labor, intellectual property, law, and overseas business. They also provide on-site consultations for companies who are dealing with matters relating to management issues, management reforms, and management succession.

1.  The Business Innovation Center Osaka collaborates with financial institutions in organizing business matching programs such as business meetings, where SMEs and startups can freely develop sales channels and create business partnerships.  
2. To tackle the challenges of new businesses, management issues, and management succession; we offer various seminars and workshops to assist managers of SMEs and startups with building skills, implementing management reforms, and handling management handovers. 
3. In collaboration with local universities and research institutions, technical presentations and matching events are held in aim of creating new businesses as well as fostering a new generation of companies.

We help SMEs build their credit rating by securing financial guarantees from the “Credit Guarantee Corporation of Osaka,” which was established under the Credit Guarantee Association Act, an act designated to help facilitate funding for SMEs. The City of Osaka also facilitates appropriate funding conditions by depositing funds to financial institutions.

At the City of Osaka, we distinctly implement financial assistance such as the “Special Management Loan” and “Facility-specific Investment Loan.” Also in collaboration with the Business Innovation Center Osaka, the “Business Initiation Support Fund” is implemented to assist with efforts of opening new businesses.

Presently, in response to the hardships imposed by the surge of COVID-19 infections, a safety net for financing guarantee is in place to assist local SMEs whose businesses were severely affected.

The Osaka Research Institute of Industrial Science and Technology helps SMEs solve technological issues by offering services such as technical consultations, experimental analysis, and commissioned research.

Coordinators assigned to the Institute take the lead in organizing and implementing joint research and development projects. They also provide support for implementation so that SMEs can effectively develop new technologies and products through effective collaboration among industry, academia, and government.

The Institute operates two facilities, the Morinomiya Center and the Izumi Center. The former is home to the Battery Development and Assessment Center, which manufactures and evaluates storage battery devices in an effort to facilitate the entry of SMEs into growth industries such as batteries and to expand their associated businesses.

The Next-Generation Optical Device Assessment and Support Center, which is located at the Morinomiya Center, tests and evaluates a comprehensive range of optical characteristics, while an anechoic chamber at the Izumi Center is used to conduct experiments to evaluate the characteristics of electromagnetic waves.

To organize more business meetings and matching opportunities for SMEs that are resolute in expanding their businesses, we offer subsidies that help attract new exhibitions to the city area. This can help promote growth in the regional economy through the development of domestic and international sales channels.

We offer support for programs designed to help shopping streets and other facilities ensure the safety and comfort of visitors while enhancing their ability to attract visitors.

To enhance the shopping street associations’ ability to attract visitors, we hold seminars to promote previous programs that have successfully revitalized the shopping streets, and act as a source of information that is circulated through social media platforms. In addition, we are also committed to carrying out practical initiatives and advanced projects that stimulates inbound travel.

Furthermore, we help secure future recruitment for the manufacturing industry by bridging relations between companies and many skilled students studying at industrial high schools.

Qualified technicians or individuals with an advanced skillset for the manufacturing industry can be certified and recognized as “Osaka Techno Masters.” As Osaka Techno Masters, not only can technicians be recognized for their proficiency, but they can also organize observation tours of manufacturing plants and give lectures of their respective occupations. These efforts can expand the horizons of the next generation of leaders for the manufacturing industry.

In aim of expanding tourism consumption and creating opportunities for business and innovation, the City of Osaka collaborates with the Osaka Prefecture, business community, Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau, and MICE-related facilities to attract strategic MICE events.

The Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau coordinates the installation of Osaka Free Wi-Fi access points throughout various locations, such as major sightseeing destinations and transportation terminals.

For instance, when updating signage that are situated at popular tourist attractions, the organization is earnestly working toward providing the most convenient and easily accessible information in nearby areas.

The Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau will be the main organization that leads in promoting strategic marketing initiatives that includes the collection and analysis of information describing tourist trends and needs. Moreover, by fostering specialized personnel, this can contribute to bolstering the capabilities of the Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau’s to function as a Osaka DMO*.

In collaboration with the Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau, we are developing strategic promotions to support domestic and international travelers. To reinforce information circulation methods, we are utilizing a range of promotional tools such as creating multilingual, electronic guidebooks and enhancing website services.

*DMO: Stands for “Destination Marketing/Management Organization, meaning an organization that serves to develop tourism attractions from a destination management perspective. In addition to formulating and implementing tourism strategies based on marketing, DMOs fulfill a coordinative role in which they facilitate consensus-building among a broad range of concerned parties within the region.

OSAKA-INFO: Information about Osaka tourism, events, etc.

The public and private sectors are pursuing waterfront urban development opportunities that promote the growth of Osaka’s identity, “City of Water”, as the pillar of the city’s tourism and urban appeal. Currently, collaborative efforts are turned towards revitalizing waterways transportation and incorporating boats in the bustling waterfront landscapes.

To attract tourists and private investors local and abroad; OSAKA Hikari-Renaissance^*1 and Midosuji Illumination^*2 are acting as the core events in a public-private consolidated effort with the private sector’s local programs to present Festival of the lights in OSAKA.

※1 OSAKA Hikari-Renaissance: A variety of light-themed attractions through illumination installations across the area from around Osaka City Hall to Nakanoshima Park
※2 Midosuji Illumination: Illumination installations aimed at a fresh appeal and brand image across a 4km long area of Osaka’s symbolic street, Midosuji Boulevard

Various programs are pursued to further enhance the appeal of the Osaka Castle Park Area and ultimately transforming it into a tourism hub. These include introduction of a privately operated park management organization (PMO*) responsible for administration and operation of the park; as well as implementation of the facility dedicated to excavation and exhibition of the original Osaka Castle stone wall constructed by Toyotomi Hideyoshi (the Toyotomi Hideyoshi Ishigaki Stone Wall Project).

*PMO: Stands for Park Management Organization, referring to a private entity responsible for administration of the park and implementation of new public relations appeal programs.

Traffic lanes of Midosuji Boulevard are closed to create a pedestrian-only zone for an array of events to demonstrate the grandeur of Osaka’s symbolic street to audiences local and abroad.

To enhance the Tennoji Park & Abeno District's capability to attract visitors, as well as showcase this local destination as a refined brand, the City of Osaka has entrusted the park's entrance and other relevant areas under private management. In addition, other projects incorporating private ingenuity is underway to transform the Tennoji Zoo gate area into a more energetic venue.

The Osaka Station and Umeda Station area is home to sightseeing destinations and major transport nodes that are traversed by large numbers of travelers. Unfortunately the current absence of signage standardization & continuity in the area is compounding on a pre-existing challenges such as complex layouts and confusing corridors. To earnestly address these challenges, the City of Osaka will be coordinating with local businesses to smoothly integrate signage design language and provide a pleasant use-friendly experience for domestic and international visitors.

To accommodate international tourists coming to Minami area, traffic staff are assigned to chartered bus boarding spaces at Nippombashi to facilitate better travel guidance to nearby parking spaces.

For JR Shin-Osaka station, to serve as a gateway for overseas tourists, the Travel Service Center SHIN-OSAKA was established to provide convenient tourism-related resources and multilingual support.

To ultimately convey the city’s finest artwork collection which stands in its own class separate from the artworks exhibited at the Osaka City Museum of Fine Arts and the Museum of Oriental Ceramics, Osaka, the Nakanoshima Museum of Art, Osaka was officially opened from February 2022.

The Nakanoshima Museum of Art, Osaka will significantly contribute to revitalizing the city’s urban appeal from the historically and culturally affluent Nakanoshima.

The Nakanoshima Children's Book Forest situated in the heart of Nakanoshima Park, officially opened on July 5, 2020, thanks to the commendable contribution made by renowned architect, Mr.Ando Tadao. Children who visit can encounter various kinds of books and cultures. On all three floors of this facility, the walls will be encompassed with bookshelves that consist of over 18,000 books including donated ones. Visual references and objects will be on display which will surely offer a new, captivating appreciation for books.

The Osaka City Museum of Fine Arts not only possesses a myriad of coveted artworks, but it is also a national tangible cultural property, which makes it one of the most distinguished art museums in the country. It is situated in the heart of the Tennoji-Abeno area.

To wholly demonstrate the museum’s allure in a perpetual manner, it is necessary to renovate the facility aspects, including the functions and equipment that is required of a modern art museum. For this reason, the museum is presently undergoing a major renovation process. With the mindset to raise the museum's attractiveness as a tourist-centric destination, we are committed to restoring the museum's collection of artworks, which embody the citizens’ assets, as well as increasing viewing opportunities for these remarkable artworks.

Information on Osaka Museum

Events are being arranged for the public to freely enjoy performances of classical performing arts such as Ningyo Johruri Bunraku (puppet theatre), which has been designated an Important Intangible Cultural Properties by the Japanese government and an Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO.

National Bunraku Theatre

The Maishima Sports Promotion Program Council, consisting of professional sports teams based in Maishima (including Osaka Evessa basketball team, the Orix Buffaloes baseball team, and Cerezo Osaka soccer team) and other related organizations, is involved in efforts to promote sports and create new sports-related industries, including publicizing Maishima’s appeal via its website and social media; conducting a one-day sports hands-on program, and providing volunteering opportunities.

Osaka Marathon is one of Japan's grandest urban marathon races where over 30,000 runners traverse in a course throughout Osaka's prominent sites. A diverse range of subsidiary events are held in conjunction to appeal to spectators alike. This competition bestows the path to socio-economic revitalization and advancement of tourism-centered measures.

Moreover, all individuals involved also have meaningful opportunities to perform meaningful charity work with local charities.

From the 1st Osaka Marathon and up to the most recent, over 1 million roadside spectators have attended, and the number of international runners have been gradually increasing every year.


The Osaka Marathon

Through the city’s extensive international network of sister/friendship cities, friendship cooperation cities, business partner cities, and other international affiliations, the City of Osaka aims to promote various exchanges across the cultural, sports, human resources, and business fields.

The City of Osaka is currently affiliated with seven total sister/friendship cities including São Paulo (Brazil), Chicago (USA), Shanghai (China), Melbourne (Australia), St. Petersburg (Russia), Milan (Italy), and Hamburg (Germany), and is broadly conducting various exchanges.

Every 5 years, commemorative exchanges, such as delegation visits, are held during the anniversary of a sister / friendship city affiliation to reaffirm closer relations.

The sister city affiliations also act as catalysts to stimulate exchanges of individual, organizational, and corporate-levels in respective fields, such as business, technology, education, culture, and sports. With the foundation firmly established upon involvement and cooperation ingrained to the citizen-level, the City of Osaka can confidently focus on maintaining prosperous relationships with our sister cities by building on the mutual understanding and trust.

The Friendship Cooperation City affiliations were first introduced in 1998 with the goal of exchanging ideas and information on a city-level in areas of common metropolitan agendas, such as sports promotion, culture, tourism and environmental challenges.

• Buenos Aires (Argentina)
  　　June 1, 1998 / Friendship Cooperation City Affiliation
• Budapest (Hungary)
  　　September 8, 1998 / Friendship Cooperation City Affiliation
• Busan (South Korea)
  　　May 21, 2008 / Friendship Cooperation City Affiliation

In 1988, the Business Partner Cities (BPC) affiliation was introduced to help facilitate greater economic exchanges between cities through the leadership of local governments. The BPC network is based mainly in the Asia-Pacific region and allows small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from Osaka to explore potential business activities in the global market. This dynamic network aims on increasing private sector-level exchanges and advancement between all the affiliated cities.

• Hong Kong (China) 　　
   Affiliation Date: March 11, 1988
   Affiliation Partner: Hong Kong Trade Development Council
• Singapore
   Affiliation Date: February 1, 1989
   Affiliation Partner: Enterprise Singapore
• Bangkok (Thailand)
   Affiliation Date: June 16, 1989 　　
   Affiliation Partner: The Thai Chamber of Commerce
• Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) 　　
   Affiliation Date: August 10, 1989 　　
   Affiliation Partner: City of Kuala Lumpur
   Affiliation Date: October 21, 1994  MOU Affiliation: Malaysia External Trade Development 
   Corporation
• Manila (The Philippines) 　　
   Affiliation Date: October 27, 1989 　　
   Affiliation Partner: City of Manila
   Affiliation Date: March 25, 2004  MOU Affiliation: Department of Trade & Industry Philippines, Foreign Trade Service Corps  
• Jakarta (Indonesia) 　　
   Affiliation Date: April 13, 1990 　　
   Affiliation Partner: Jakarta Chamber of Commerce & Industry
• Seoul (South Korea) 　　
   Affiliation Date: September 4, 1992 　　
   Affiliation Partner: Korea Chamber of Commerce & Industry
• Shanghai (China)　　
   Affiliation Date: July 5, 1995 　　
   Affiliation Partner: Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce
• Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam) 　　
   Affiliation Date: May 27, 1997 　　
   Affiliation Partner: People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City
   Affiliation Date: July 5, 2007  MOU Affiliation: Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Ho Chi Minh City Branch
• Mumbai (India) 　　
   Affiliation Date: May 12, 1998 　　
   Affiliation Partner: IMC Chamber of Commerce & Industry
• Melbourne (Australia) 　　
  　Affiliation Date: June 2, 1999 　
  　Affiliation Partner: City of Melbourne, Australian Industry Group
• Tianjin (China) 　　
  　Affiliation Date: June 15, 2004 　
  　Affiliation Partner: Tianjin Commission of Commerce
• Auckland (New Zealand) 　
  　Affiliation Date: February 2, 2009 　
  　Affiliation Partner: Auckland Regional Chamber of Commerce
• Hamburg (Germany) 　
  　Affiliation Date: September 23, 2019 　
  　Affiliation Partner: Hamburg Chamber of Commerce

The City of Osaka, according to its core policies, has decided on various exchange themes and is engaging in strategic exchanges with several cities overseas.

Since ancient times, Osaka has played a major role in cultural exchange and trade through the vigorous flow of transport from its ports to mainland China and the Korean Peninsula. Presently, the Port of Osaka has affiliations with seven sister ports abroad, and is striving to carry out various exchange projects to exhibit international goodwill and foster prosperous relations.

• Port of San Francisco (USA)
• Port of Melbourne (Australia)
• Port of Le Havre (France)
• Port of Shanghai (China) (friendship port treaty)
• Port of Valparaiso (Chile)
• Port of Busan (South Korea)
• Saigon Port (Vietnam)

The City of Osaka has an overseas representative office, which is tasked to offer business support for Osaka-based companies, strengthen accumulation and circulation of information, as well as promote exchanges across various fields such as the economy, culture, and tourism.

  Osaka Shanghai Office (大阪政府上海事務所)

• Area: China
• Address: Room 407, Shanghai International Trade Center, 2201 Yan An West Road, Shanghai, 200336 People’s Republic of China （大阪国際経済上海事務所  中華人民共和国  200336  上海市延安西路2201号  上海国際貿易中心407室）
• Phone: +86-21-6275-1982
• Fax: +86-21-6275-1983
• Email: dabanshi@osakacity-sh.com

With eyes set on creating a welcoming environment that allows for foreign nationals to seamlessly transition into work-life in Osaka, the Osaka International House Foundation, an international exchange facility, is providing consultation and information to foreign nationals; realizing multicultural coexistence in society; facilitating citizen-level international exchange and understanding; disaster support for foreign residents; and fostering the education for leaders who will further globalization.