Frequently Asked Questions Can’t find the answer to your question?
Contact us here.

Why Osaka? What’s special about it?

Below is the short answer, and visit Osaka Startup Ecosystem if you want to get deeper.

There is one word that can tell you why.
Because Osaka is “OMOROI”.

“OMOROI” in Osakan Japanese
means:

= Fun, Funny
= Unique, Original
= Challenging, Ridiculous
= Exciting, Energetic
= Eye-catching, Captivating
= Unpredictable with high potential

The concept of OMOROI is in everything everywhere in Osaka.

History

Osaka has always been the OMOROI hub of trades and entrepreneurs.
While Kyoto had emperors, and Tokyo had Samurai (warriors),Osaka was governed by a democratic organization of merchants.
No wonder the city environment was built perfectly for businesses.

Culture

We love making money, saving money and talking about money.
Entrepreneurship and a business mindset is ingrained in our culture.
The most valuable asset here, however, is a good sense of humor.
Work hard and laugh harder. That’s OMOROI life in Osaka.

People

Osaka has embraced immigrants from Asia throughout its history.
OMOROI outsiders started and grew their world-class businesses here.
Our direct, light-hearted communication style is far from standard in Japan.
It evolved out of the necessity to communicate effectively across cultures.

Strength

Manufacturing and Healthcare are two industrial headliners.
Fortune 500 companies as well as many universities and startups call Osaka home.
Each of them is a domain expert with cutting-edge technology.
Collaboration is active and frequent whenever an OMOROI project pops up.

Vision

Osaka is rising to be the most OMOROI city in the world.
Exciting milestones are lined up for years to come.
Olympic and Paralympic 2020, Umekita #2 Development completion 2024, and Expo 2025.
OIH and startups will fuel innovations into the ecosystem.

Umekita Development #2 to be completed in 2024.

・Image by JV formed by developers for second zone of Umekita area
・The Image provided is based on our current expectations as of May 2018 and is subject to uncertainties and changes.

Does OIH partner
with overseas organizations?

Can OIH help me
apply for the Startup Visa?

OIH does not offer visa application support, but this place does:
Application Support Desk for International Founders

Application Support Desk for International Founders helps entrepreneurs from outside Japan apply for the Startup Visa and set up their business in Osaka.

Services

– Receipt of the Plan of Business Startup Activities
– Assistance in preparing the Plan of Business Startup Activities
– Assistance in setting up a business in Osaka once the “Startup Visa” is granted

Here is the “Startup Visa”
application process

(1) Prepare the Plan of Business Startup Activities with the assistance of Application Support Desk for International Founders
(2) Submit the plan to the City of Osaka
(3) Wait while the City of Osaka assesses whether the applicant, based on the business plan described in his/her Plan for Business Startup Activities, etc., is likely to receive the ordinary status of residence (Business Manager) after one-year period of stay.
(4) Receive the Certificate of Confirmation, if the assessment was successful.
(5) Apply to the Osaka Regional Immigration Bureau for the “Startup Visa”, or the status of residence (Designated Activities), which is valid for a maximum of one year (renewal is necessary after six months), by submitting the Certificate of Confirmation and other required documents.

The “Startup Visa” is a status of residence for preparing to obtain the “Business Manager ” visa. Foreigners who aim to start a business in Japan need to obtain the “Business Manager” visa. When applying the Business Manager visa to the Immigration Bureau, the foreign entrepreneurs must meet the following conditions in the standard process.

1)Must have an office for business except home
AND
2)More than two full-time employees OR 3)Capital or investment of at least 5 million yen in total

Inquiry（Startup Visa）

Mail：startupvisa@sansokan.jp

If you have difficulty inquiring in Japanese, please use English.

Do you know
any good co-working space?

Here is the list of all 9 innovation bases endorsed by the City of Osaka.
* Link to Japanese website

billage OSAKA

billage OSAKA is the innovation base located in the heart of Honmachi, a lively business area in Osaka. It aims to energize Japan from Osaka, providing a platform for companies and entrepreneurs to acquire capital, human resources and business know-how for further growth.

Operated by MJE INC.

WEB SITE (*)

billage OSAKA + (plus)

billage OSAKA + is a dynamic space for Osaka-based large corporations and startups and venture companies that want to expand their business in Osaka to meet, solve each other’s problems and develop partnerships that are mutually beneficial.

Operated by MJE INC.

WEB SITE (*)

Garage Minato

Garage Minato is a base for open innovations that focuses on Osaka’s excellence in precision machining technology and how it can create new value by collaborating with creators from all around Japan and the world who have broad ideas and cutting-edge technologies.

Operated by Seiko Seimitsu Co., Ltd.

WEB SITE (*)

Garage Taisho

Garage Taisho is a base for business incubation that makes PoC easy for manufacturing and IoT startups. Its network with venture companies, local manufacturers and research institutes facilitates the transition of phases from prototyping to commercialization.

Operated by KOBATA GAUGE MFG. CO., LTD.

WEB SITE (*)

GVH (Global Venture Habitat) #5

GVH #5 was established by Hankyu, a railway and retail company, in collaboration with SunBridge Global Ventures Inc., a firm with expertise in fundraising and foreign expansion for Internet-related start-ups. Focusing its efforts in the Umeda area, in the heart of the global business hub of Osaka, GVH #5 aims to make the Kansai region more competitive on the world stage.

Operated by Hankyu Corporation

WEB SITE

Ogyaa’s Umeda

Ogyaa’s Umeda facilitates collaborations among startups, creators and SMEs, so that venture companies can grow and create innovative businesses. Its accumulated knowledge and resources allow startup founders to overcome the daily challenges they face.

Operated by TSUCREA

WEB SITE (*)

ReqreeDojima

ReqreeDojima understands the needs of a startup and offers ideal office facilities and services. No matter what stage the business is at, idea, early, seed or growth and hiring phase, ReqreeDojima provides support in a speedy and flexible manner.

Operated by CQREE HOzLDINGS.

WEB SITE (*)

Robo & Peace

Robo & Peace is a marketing base for the robotics industry. Robot developers, service providers and researchers can use this space to interact with users, prove their concepts and market their services and products.

Operated by i-RooBO Network Forum (General Incorporated Association)

WEB SITE (*)

WeWork Mido-suji Frontier

WeWork leverages their robust experience in running co-working spaces in Japan and globally, by providing opportunities for international companies to meet startups and other corporations that want to expand their businesses in Osaka and create mutual benefits through collaboration.

Operated by WeWork Japan

WEB SITE

Frequently Asked Questions Can’t find the answer to your question? Contact us here.

Why Osaka? What’s special about it?

“OMOROI” in Osakan Japanese means:

History

Culture

People

Strength

Vision

Umekita Development #2 to be completed in 2024.

Does OIH partner with overseas organizations?

Can OIH help me apply for the Startup Visa?

Services

Here is the “Startup Visa” application process

Inquiry（Startup Visa）

Do you know any good co-working space?

billage OSAKA

billage OSAKA + (plus)

Garage Minato

Garage Taisho

GVH (Global Venture Habitat) #5

Ogyaa’s Umeda

ReqreeDojima

Robo & Peace

WeWork Mido-suji Frontier

Frequently Asked Questions Can’t find the answer to your question?
Contact us here.

“OMOROI” in Osakan Japanese
means:

Does OIH partner
with overseas organizations?

Can OIH help me
apply for the Startup Visa?

Here is the “Startup Visa”
application process

Do you know
any good co-working space?