With world-class research institutions, a robust industry cluster, a strong environment for international collaboration, and comprehensive business support, the Japanese city of Osaka is drawing growing attention as it looks to become a global centre for life sciences innovation.
The Osaka–Kansai Expo 2025, held under the theme “Designing Future Society for Our Lives,” welcomed participants from 158 countries and regions as well as seven international organizations, attracting approximately 29m visitors in total. Positioned as a “living laboratory” for the future, the Expo showcased cutting-edge technologies—life sciences, AI, robotics, and environmental solutions.
The Osaka Prefectural Government and the City of Osaka brought together the collective wisdom and creativity of “All-Osaka,” working alongside 118 sponsoring companies and 17 partner organizations to present the Osaka Healthcare Pavilion. Within the pavilion, the “Reborn Challenge” featured exhibits by 432 SMEs and startups, each unveiling future-oriented products and breakthrough technologies to visitors.
Saito is a major hub for drug discovery and life sciences, home to research institutes such as the National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition, along with companies, startups, and incubation facilities.
Kento is an open-innovation district focused on health and medicine, centred around two national research institutes: the National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, and the National Institute of Health and Nutrition.
Companies and hospitals are also concentrated in the area, creating a strong ecosystem for collaborative innovation in healthcare.
Nakanoshima Qross is a commercialisation hub for future medicine, built on regenerative medicine and designed to respond quickly to advances in medical technology. Medical institutions, companies, startups, and support organisations are co-located under one roof, creating a continuous cycle of practice, creation, and sharing to accelerate the industrialization of future medical solutions.
Following the Expo, Osaka has signed multiple MOUs, taking international cooperation—particularly in life sciences—to a new stage.
In May 2025, the Sweden Business Summit held at the Expo site served as a catalyst for discussions between Osaka and Business Sweden on future collaboration opportunities. Given Sweden’s strong concentration of life sciences institutions and advanced technologies—which align closely with Osaka’s strengths—an MOU was signed in October 2025 to promote economic exchange in fields such as life sciences and startups.
Osaka is also advancing partnerships to promote collaboration among companies and research institutions between Osaka Bio Headquarters and international clusters, including: Montréal InVivo (Quebec, Canada), Clust-ER HEALTH (Emilia-Romagna, Italy), Bioindustry Park Silvano Fumero/bioPmed Cluster (Piedmont, Italy), and BioValley France (Grand Est Region, France).
In September 2025, Clust-ER HEALTH and Osaka Bio Headquarters hosted a workshop at Nakanoshima Qross, welcoming life sciences experts from both regions. Going forward, based on the MOU, they will organise events to deepen mutual understanding and provide support for business matchmaking and other collaborative activities.
Osaka Business and Investment Center (O-BIC) was established in April 2001 by the Osaka Prefectural Government, the Osaka City Government, and the Osaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry in a joint initiative.
O-BIC provides prospective foreign investors with a comprehensive yet detailed support system. International companies, foreign government offices and economic organisations as well as foreign-capitalized companies located in Japan can use the centre to obtain information and advice for entering the Osaka market.
Key services provided by O-BIC include bilingual (English/Japanese) information on doing business and living in Osaka, referrals to service providers for administrative procedures, including company registration and visa/status of residence applications, real estate information for offices, warehouses, factories, and housing, introductions to professional experts and companies, including interpreters, translators, market research firms, and specialists in legal, tax, and accounting matters, information on incentives offered by the Osaka Prefectural Government and the City of Osaka, business intelligence to help identify and connect with potential business partners, and practical information for daily life, such as schools and healthcare facilities.
Osaka Prefecture positions the life sciences industry as a strategic growth sector in which it holds clear competitive strengths. By supporting private-sector challenges to bring innovative technologies into real-world implementation—particularly in areas such as regenerative medicine and healthcare—Osaka and the Kansai region aim to generate next-generation industries and expand their reach into global markets.
In addition to its geographic advantage as a gateway to Asia, Osaka leverages its deep talent pool, robust R&D infrastructure, and international networks to offer an attractive environment for global business partners seeking investment and collaboration opportunities.
Jim Cornall is editor of Deeptech Digest and publisher at Ayr Coastal Media. He is an award-winning writer, editor, photographer, broadcaster, designer and author. Contact Jim here.