REGION · OSAKA
Subsidies in Osaka
大阪府・大阪市の補助金・支援On top of the national programs — what Osaka adds for foreign companies
Osaka has a one-stop English center for foreign companies, a small subsidy for company registration, and larger incentives for head offices, factories and R&D.
Setup subsidy
¥100K
O-BIC, for registration costs
Foreign capital
1/3+
Required for the O-BIC subsidy
Minimum wage
Yearly
Revised every year — affects wage programs
English help
O-BIC
One-stop center for foreign companies
O-BIC: the English one-stop center
The Osaka Business and Investment Center (O-BIC) was set up by Osaka Prefecture, Osaka City and the Osaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry to help foreign companies enter Osaka. It gives advice on company registration and visas, and introduces lawyers, accountants, interpreters and real estate agents.
| Item | O-BIC Support Program for Foreign Companies |
|---|---|
| Subsidy | Up to ¥100,000 of the fee paid to an O-BIC supporting company for registration |
| Who | Companies with one-third or more foreign capital registering a head office or branch in Osaka Prefecture |
| Conditions | Interview with O-BIC before registration, and registration done through an O-BIC supporting company |
| Deadline | Within one year of the registration date, until the annual budget runs out |
Stamp duties, notary fees, government fees and consumption tax are not covered.
Larger incentives in Osaka
| Program | For | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Osaka Prefecture — head office functions | Foreign-affiliated companies setting up headquarters functions | Buying a building: 5% (up to ¥100M). Leasing: 1/3 of 24 months' rent (up to ¥60M) |
| Osaka Prefecture — factories and R&D | SMEs building or expanding factories or R&D facilities | 5% of buildings and machinery (10% for Osaka-based firms), up to ¥30M |
| Osaka City — foreign financial companies | Foreign financial firms opening a base in Osaka City | Survey up to ¥1.1M; setup 1/2 up to ¥10M |
Osaka Prefecture and Osaka City also offer tax reductions for pioneering projects in new energy and life sciences. Ask O-BIC which applies to you.
National programs — where to apply in Osaka
| Program | In Osaka |
|---|---|
| Sustainability Subsidy | Support letter from the Osaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (大阪商工会議所), or the local 商工会 in some towns |
| Career-Up & Work Improvement | Osaka Labour Bureau (大阪労働局) |
| Digitalization, Labor-Saving, Monozukuri | Online, nationwide |
Osaka minimum wage
Osaka's minimum wage is revised every year. Several programs use your prefecture’s current minimum wage — for example, wage conditions and the application window of the Work Improvement Grant. Check the current amount in the official minimum wage table.
Work Improvement Grant: watch the date
The grant window closes the day before the new minimum wage takes effect in your prefecture — sometimes earlier than you expect.
FAQ
Is there a subsidy for setting up a foreign company in Osaka?
Yes. O-BIC’s Support Program for Foreign Companies covers up to ¥100,000 of the fee paid to an O-BIC supporting company for registration. You need one-third or more foreign capital and an interview with O-BIC before registering.
Where can foreign companies get English support in Osaka?
The Osaka Business and Investment Center (O-BIC) is a one-stop center for foreign companies, set up by Osaka Prefecture, Osaka City and the Osaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Where can I check the minimum wage in Osaka?
On the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare’s table of regional minimum wages. It is revised every year, and several programs use it.
Sources
- O-BIC — subsidy programs and incentives (English)
- OPEN!! OSAKA — starting a business in Osaka (Osaka Prefecture)
- Minimum wages by prefecture — Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare
This page is a plain-English summary, not legal advice. The official Japanese guidelines always take priority.
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