The Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) has created a new "one-stop-shopping" website called "INVEST JAPAN!" (http://www.investjapan.org) for foreign companies interested in learning more about direct investment opportunities in the world's second largest economy.

This site provides a wide range of essential information, including up-to-date data on regulatory reform, market statistics and Japan's various regions.

Despite its slow economy, Japan has been attracting considerable interest from overseas investors in recent years. Foreign direct investment reached a record $28.3 billion in fiscal year 2000-- over five times the level in 1997. Moreover, the Japanese government is keenly aware of the importance of foreign direct investment. To facilitate these transactions, it has been actively initiating reforms to promote M&A and to accelerate deregulation in key sectors of the economy.

JETRO, a government-supported organization dedicated to promoting mutually beneficial trade and economic relations between Japan and other nations, plays an important role in Japan's investment promotion activities. In addition to reflecting JETRO's broad expertise and knowledge regarding investment in Japan, INVEST JAPAN! outlines and provides access to the wide range of free services that JETRO offers to overseas investors..

Special features of the INVEST JAPAN! website include:

A cost simulation model to help estimate the start-up cost of establishing a new operation in Japan.
A monthly feature on foreign firms that have established operations in Japan, describing their motives, difficulties they may have faced, and how theyovercame them.
A section highlighting regional investment incentives, cost comparisons, and overviews of each locality's transportation infrastructure.
Detailed information regarding regulations on establishing new enterprises, presented in an easy-to-understand Q&A format
Links to useful government and private sector information sources on investing in Japan

INVEST JAPAN! has been developed to offer foreign investors the most comprehensive data that is currently available on investing in Japan", noted Ken Katayama, Director of Public Relations at JETRO New York. "We welcome suggestions and comments as well as inquiries from information providers who might benefit from links to this content.



This material is published and disseminated by JETRO New York in coordination with KWR International, Inc. Tel: 212-532-3005, Fax: 212-799-0517, E-mail: kwrintl@kwrintl.com. JETRO New York is registered as an agent of the Japan External Trade Organization, Tokyo, Japan and KWR International, Inc. is registered on behalf of JETRO New York. This material is filed with the Department of Justice where the required registration statement is available for public viewing..

CONTACT: JETRO New York
Kurt Swihart, 212/997-0414
Fax: 212/944-8808
Kurt_Swihart@jetro.go.jp

or

KWR International, Inc., New York
Keith W. Rabin, +1.212.532.3005
Fax: +1.212.799.0517
E-mail: KRabin@kwrintl.com