Osaka to Consolidate Its Position as a Global Financial Centre for Emerging Industries
Japan’s Osaka is stepping up efforts to position itself as a leading global financial centre, targeting increased foreign investment, innovation, and economic growth as part of its long-term development strategy.
Under its “Global Financial City OSAKA” vision, the city is working to attract international financial institutions, investors, and skilled professionals, while strengthening its role as a hub for next-generation industries such as life sciences, fintech, and carbon-neutral technologies.
Launched in 2022 through a collaboration of government, academia, and industry stakeholders, the initiative focuses on using finance as a tool to drive industrial growth and address societal challenges, rather than solely establishing a traditional financial centre.
Officials say Osaka’s global appeal has been strengthened by its role in hosting the Osaka–Kansai Expo 2025, which attracted thousands of international businesses and investors. The event provided a platform for business exchange, with approximately 8,000 overseas companies participating in meetings, seminars, and related engagements.
As Japan’s second-largest economic centre after Tokyo, Osaka offers a competitive advantage for investors, combining advanced infrastructure, a diverse industrial base, and comparatively lower operational costs. The city has also gained global recognition for its quality of life, ranking among the most liveable cities worldwide.
A key strength lies in Osaka’s growing deep-tech ecosystem, particularly in life sciences, where it is home to the world’s first approved induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell-based product. This positions the city at the forefront of cutting-edge scientific innovation.
To attract foreign financial firms, Osaka has introduced a range of incentives and support measures. These include a one-stop support centre offering English-language services, streamlined administrative processes, and financial incentives such as subsidies of up to 10 million yen. In a notable move, the city has also introduced tax relief measures that can reduce certain corporate taxes to zero for up to ten years.
The strategy’s initial phase, running up to 2025, has already exceeded expectations. By the end of the financial year, Osaka had attracted 31 foreign financial companies surpassing its target of 30 and facilitated the creation of 653 start-ups, more than double its original goal.
Looking ahead, the second phase of the strategy, covering 2026 to 2030, aims to attract 50 foreign financial firms, create 1,200 start-ups, and generate investment of 160 billion yen.
Authorities say future efforts will focus on strengthening global promotion, encouraging collaboration between international investors and local businesses, and advancing financial innovation. There are also plans to improve financial literacy among residents and develop skilled professionals through partnerships between financial institutions, educational bodies, and government agencies.
In addition, Osaka is seeking to enhance its attractiveness for international investors by improving living conditions, including expanding access to international education.
Officials believe that by combining financial innovation with technological advancement, Osaka can establish itself as a competitive global financial hub while contributing to solutions for global challenges.
