living and working in japan: tales from an australian doing business in osaka
DESCRIPTION
An amended version of a presentation I gave for the 30th Anniversary of the Melbourne-Osaka Sister City Relationship.TRANSCRIPT
Living and Working in Japan: Tales from an Australian Doing Business in Osaka
Fred Taylor –
Trade Development Officer, JETRO Sydney
From here, Osaka
looks like any other Japanese city.
Osaka is different!
Osaka is proud of being different.
This is best seen in Osaka’s culture, sporting rivalry with Tokyo, and Osakans
themselves.
Osaka is one of the few cities in the world where a giant crab
on a building
would be considered commonplace.
Culture
Osakans
are sports fanatics.
The Hanshin Tigers, Osaka’s favourite baseball team, are also bitter rivals with Tokyo’s Yomiuri Giants.
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).
Sporting Rivalry
One famous Tigers fan custom is the lucky 7th inning
at every home game…
Sporting Rivalry
Tigers Art Courtesy of Illustrex: http://illust.kajikawa-trex.com/?cid=33335
And then…
Osakans
are considered warmer and more friendly
than people from Tokyo.
The People
Osaka is also the home of Japanese comedy. Every
famous comedian in Japan uses an Osaka accent.
The People
Kuidaore
Taro
–
A famous Osaka mascot (Picture from http://cui-daore-taro.com/taroblog/)
Osakans
like to have fun!
The People
Osaka’s rivalry
with Tokyo often appears in strange situations…..
Osaka vs
Tokyo
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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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Osaka however is historically a merchant city.
It is easier to protect your property if you stand on the right.
Copyright: Apple
Tokyo
and Osaka…
.
When travelling between
As stated, Osaka has long been regarded as a merchant city. It was known as ‘the nation’s storehouse’ in the 18th
century.
Osaka today is still an economic powerhouse.
AustraliaOsaka City
198 738Unit: US$ Billion
Osaka City’s GDP is equivalent to one quarter
of Australia’s national output.
Why do Business in Osaka?
• International City
• Excellent Infrastructure
• Cheaper than Tokyo
• Stepping stone into Japan
• IBPC subsidies available
Osaka City is also promoting
initiatives to develop leadership in ICT, bio, nano
and robot
technology.
Osaka City is now being viewed by the world as an advanced
robotic technology centre.
Source: Robot Technology Osaka
However over 50%
of Osaka’s economy lies in goods and
services.
Shinsaibashi
is Osaka’s commercial hub
If you visit Shinsaibashi, try some Okonomiyaki
–
An Osaka Delicacy
And finally, Osaka is a city that combines a vibrant past….
With a promising future!
Kyobashi
Business Park
–
Osaka’s Financial Hub (as seen from the top of Osaka Castle)
