Living and Working in Japan: Tales from an Australian Doing Business in Osaka

Slide 1: Living and Working in Japan: Tales from an Australian Doing Business in Osaka Fred Taylor – Trade Development Officer, JETRO Sydney

Slide 2: From here, Osaka looks like any other Japanese city.

Slide 3: Osaka is different!

Slide 4: Osaka is proud of being different. This is best seen in Osaka’s culture, sporting rivalry with Tokyo, and Osakans themselves.

Slide 7: Culture Osaka is one of the few cities in the world where a giant crab on a building would be considered commonplace.

Slide 10: Sporting Rivalry Osakans are sports fanatics. The Hanshin Tigers, Osaka’s favourite baseball team, are also bitter rivals with Tokyo’s Yomiuri Giants.

Slide 11: Sporting Rivalry Tigers fans are renowned as being the most fanatical and dedicated in all of Japanese baseball – win or lose (and the Tigers lose a lot).

Slide 13: Sporting Rivalry One famous Tigers fan custom is the lucky 7th inning at every home game… Tigers Art Courtesy of Illustrex: http://illust.kajikawa-trex.com/?cid=33335

Slide 15: And then…

Slide 18: The People Osakans are considered warmer and more friendly than people from Tokyo.

Slide 19: The People Osaka is also the home of Japanese comedy. Every famous comedian in Japan uses an Osaka accent. Kuidaore Taro – A famous Osaka mascot (Picture from http://cui-daore-taro.com/taroblog/)

Slide 20: The People Osakans like to have fun!

Slide 22: Osaka vs Tokyo Osaka’s rivalry with Tokyo often appears in strange situations…..

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Slide 25: One theory about this is that Tokyo was a samurai city. It is easier to draw your sword if you stand on the left. Copyright: Akira Kurosawa’s Seven Samurai

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Slide 27: Osaka however is historically a merchant city. It is easier to protect your property if you stand on the right. Copyright: Apple

Slide 28: When travelling between Tokyo and Osaka….

Slide 30: As stated, Osaka has long been regarded as a merchant city. It was known as ‘the nation’s storehouse’ in the 18th century.

Slide 31: Osaka today is still an economic powerhouse.

Slide 32: Osaka City’s GDP is equivalent to one quarter of Australia’s national output. Unit: US$ Billion 198 738 Osaka City Australia

Slide 33: Why do Business in Osaka? • International City • Excellent Infrastructure • Cheaper than Tokyo • Stepping stone into Japan • IBPC subsidies available

Slide 34: Osaka City is also promoting initiatives to develop leadership in ICT, bio, nano and robot technology.

Slide 35: Osaka City is now being viewed by the world as an advanced robotic technology centre. Source: Robot Technology Osaka

Slide 36: However over 50% of Osaka’s economy lies in goods and services.

Slide 37: Shinsaibashi is Osaka’s commercial hub

Slide 38: If you visit Shinsaibashi, try some Okonomiyaki – An Osaka Delicacy

Slide 39: And finally, Osaka is a city that combines a vibrant past….

Slide 41: With a promising future!

Slide 42: Kyobashi Business Park – Osaka’s Financial Hub (as seen from the top of Osaka Castle)

Slide 43: See you in Osaka! Thank You. Fred Taylor – taylor@jetro.org.au