Japan External Trade Organization

Japan External Trade Organization (日本貿易振興機構, Nihon Bōeki Shinkōkikō) (ジェトロ　JETRO) is an independent government agency established by Japan Export Trade Research Organization as a nonprofit corporation in Osaka in February 1951, and reorganized as the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) in 1958 (later Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry or METI) to consolidate Japan's efforts in export promotion. The government has provided more than half of JETRO's annual operating budget. As of May 2011, JETRO maintained seventy-three offices in fifty-five countries, as well as thirty-six regional offices in Japan, with a total staff of 1,500. Its main office is located in the Ark Mori Building in Akasaka, Tokyo. Initially, JETRO's activities focused mainly on promoting exports to other countries. As exporters established themselves in world markets and the balance of trade turned from deficit to surplus, however, JETRO's role shifted to encompass more varied activities. These have included the furtherance of mutual understanding with trading partners, import promotion, liaison between small businesses in Japan and their overseas counterparts, and data dissemination. Import promotion services have included publications, promotion of trade fairs, seminars, and trade missions.

JETRO also provides information and support to foreign companies looking for successful entry and expansion in the Japanese market. JETRO provides a wide range of services, such as timely market intelligence, extensive business development support, and relevant business events, designed to encourage new business between foreign companies and Japan. JETRO also provides current information on the laws and regulations surrounding new business operation in Japan to assist companies in expanding their business to Japan.

[Japanese Fiscal Year 2013] Subsidy Program for Projects Promoting Asian Site Location in Japan

The Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) is currently promoting the annual Japanese subsidy program: Subsidy Program for Projects Promoting Asian Site Location in Japan. The application deadline is Monday, June 3, 2013, at 12:00PM (Japan time).

The program is coordinated by the of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) of Japan, aiming at proactively inviting high-value-added businesses to the Japanese market. This highly-competitive Japanese subsidy program provides incentives of up to 500 million yen to global companies who are planning to establish business operations in Japan such as Regional Headquarters or R&D Sites.

Japan, one of the largest economies in the world, remains an attractive location for business and investment, with exceptionally highly-skilled workers among its advantages. In the past two years, METI has funded fourteen projects from companies around the globe including the following U.S.-owned companies (in alphabetical order):

   2012: GE Japan Limited, Johnson & Johnson K.K., Tenneco Japan Ltd.
   2011: 3M Health Care Ltd., NeoPhotonics Japan G.K., Nihon Cabot Microelectronics K.K.

This subsidy program demonstrates the Japanese government’s serious commitment to helping foreign companies do business in Japan. The subsidy lowers a company’s overall costs of entering the Japanese market, which should encourage the company to invest in their Japanese location.

SUBSIDIZED PROJECTS

   - Projects eligible for the subsidy shall be those for establishing a new Regional Headquarters or R&D Site in Japan. However, the relocation and consolidation of existing sites in Japan are not eligible for the subsidy.
   - The relevant headquarters' operations or R&D activities must continue for a minimum of 3 years after the end of project period.
   - The investment plan must not have been publicly announced, nor the placing of orders, making of contracts, etc. been undertaken prior to the cabinet approval of the “2013 General Account Budget Bill” (January 29, 2013).

ELIGIBLE COMPANIES Private enterprises must satisfy all of the requirements below:

   - Belong to a corporate body consisting of group companies that are operating an actual business in two or more countries
   - Have corporate status in Japan
   - Establish a new site for Regional Headquarters or R&D in Japan
   * Foreign corporations (including branch offices in Japan) must have corporate status in Japan by the time of submitting the grant application if their site is selected by this subsidy program.

SUBSIDIZED COSTS

   - Survey design costs (Survey and design costs needed for building, refurbishment or facility installation)
   - Facility costs (Costs required for purchasing, building or refurbishment of facilities, including integrally developed facilities)
   - Equipment costs (Costs needed for purchasing, and setting up equipment and software)
   - Facility rental charges (Costs needed for leasing facilities)

SUBSIDY RATES Up to one-half for SMEs; up to one-third for non-SMEs; up to two-thirds for those establishing a site in the disaster afflicted zones (Limit: 500 million yen)

Organization

• Headquarters (Akasaka, Tokyo)
• Osaka Headquarters
• Institute of Developing Economies
• Domestic Office - 36, Overseas Office - 73

See also

• Economic relations of Japan

External links

• JETRO United States website
• JETRO Services to Expand to Japan
• JETRO Services to Import Japanese Goods & Technology
• JETRO Japan website