"Tokyo: Gateway to the Growing Asian Market": Tokyo's "Special Zone for Asian Headquarters" Project to Be Introduced at Japan Business Promotion Symposium

TOKYO, Jan. 10, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- A representative from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government will speak about its project to attract foreign companies to Tokyo's "Special Zone for Asian Headquarters" at the JETRO & UKTI Japan business promotion symposium, "Arrows to Japan: The Road to Business Success," to be held at the BIS Conference Centre in London on January 16, 2014.

Tokyo's Special Zone for Asian Headquarters was established in 2011 upon designation by the Japanese government as a Comprehensive Special Zone for International Competitiveness Development. Tokyo's goal is to attract over 500 foreign companies, including 50 companies establishing their Asian regional headquarters or research and development centers, to this zone in the center of the city by 2016 to make Tokyo the business hub of Asia.

The Greater Tokyo Area, home to 37 million people, is a huge economic area with a gross metropolitan product rivaling the GDPs of countries such as South Korea and the Netherlands. Tokyo not only has some 2,700 companies with a capital of over 5.8 million British pounds, but also ranks top-class in the world in the number of Fortune Global 500 company headquarters. It has a wealth of talent to drive business success. There are also numerous small and medium-sized companies boasting world-leading technologies that will make perfect business partners. Moreover, with Tokyo boosting preparations to host the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games, a myriad of business opportunities exist in this fast-paced city.

Foreign companies newly setting up their regional headquarters or R&D centers in the special zone will be eligible to receive tax incentives and subsidies and will benefit from deregulation measures. Tokyo also has a one-stop English consultation desk, "Business Development Center TOKYO," that supports foreign companies in smoothly conducting business and provides consultations and advice to their employees and families for living comfortably in Tokyo.

Located within the Special Zone for Asian Headquarters are high-performance office buildings with excellent earthquake resistance and emergency power systems that can support business activities in the event of a disaster, ensuring business continuity 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Development of a healthcare and education environment for foreign residents is also underway.

Tokyo is the best location for foreign companies to find great business partners, create innovation, and advance into the growing Asian market. These strengths of Tokyo and the incentives provided by the Special Zone for Asian Headquarters project will be introduced at the symposium.

Please visit the following websites for details on the symposium and the Special Zone for Asian Headquarters.

Japan Business Promotion Symposium:
http://www.jetro.go.jp/uk/topics/20131205925-topics

Special Zone for Asian Headquarters:
http://www.chijihon.metro.tokyo.jp/ahq_project/index.html