Following up on Mayor Fumiko Hayashi’s declaration of Yokohama as an Innovation City on January 7, the city has proposed the establishment of a new facility to promote human resources development and networking for innovators. The proposal for the new center will be included as a component of the Greater Tokyo Area Plan formulated by the National Strategic Special Zone Council. National Strategic Special Zones are economic zones designated by the Japanese government with the goal of establishing centers for economic activity and boosting international competitiveness. The Greater Tokyo Area, which is comprised of the Tokyo Metropolis, Kanagawa Prefecture (which includes Yokohama), Chiba City and Narita City in Chiba Prefecture, was designated as a Special Zone in FY 2013. Area Plans are eventually approved by the Prime Minister after review by the National Strategic Special Zone Advisory Council.

The proposal for the center included initiatives such as: knowledge exchange and networking for innovators: events that bring together personnel from startups, SMEs, major corporations and government; skill matching between industry experts and startups/SMEs; and human resources development programs aimed at building the next-generation of innovators.

National Strategic Special Zones (Greater Tokyo Area) https://www.seisakukikaku.metro.tokyo.jp/invest_tokyo/english/invest-tokyo/nssz.html

Learn more:
Yokohama’s Innovative Culture
Yokohama’s Highly Skilled Workforce