The Kansai region is the area of West Central Japan centered around the cities of Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe and Nara. The population is almost the size of greater metropolitan New York, Los Angeles and Chicago combined.

Most people are well aware that Japan is the world's second largest economy, and that the United States and Japan together represent forty percent of the world's Gross Domestic Product. Less known is that the economy of Kansai, the traditional merchant center of Japan, is itself is bigger than all but six nations in the world -- and is roughly the size of Canada or England.

Osaka, the largest city of the Kansai area, is thus a strategic location for business. It offers tremendous opportunities for foreign businesses seeking to enter the Japanese market. Start-up and operating costs are below those of the Tokyo area and many find it an easier place to operate. The quality of life and transportation, communications and distribution facilities are excellent. The Kansai region is historically the center of Japan's rich culture and tradition.

It also is the center of activity for several major industries such as the chemical, pharmaceutical, textile and apparel, food and wholesale distribution industries. More recently, it seems to be becoming a center for new industries, including consumer electronics, electrical machinery, robotics, automation, software, biotechnology and new materials.

The huge new Kansai international airport, together with the ocean port facilities of Osaka and Kobe, provides convenient access to the rest of the world and is a main link to other parts of Asia.

See other links for more information about Osaka and the Kansai region of Japan.