Japan Eyes Support for Foreign Entrepreneurs in Special Zones

Tokyo, May 12 (Jiji Press)--A Japanese government panel will consider measures to encourage foreign entrepreneurs to launch businesses in Japan and foreign firms to expand into the country, as part of deregulation in special economic zones, it was learned Monday. At a meeting of the Council on National Strategic Special Zones, four private-sector members including Keio University Prof. Heizo Takenaka, former economic and fiscal policy minister, proposed studying such measures. The members also proposed allowing foreigners to work as housekeepers to promote women's participation in businesses, introducing a new working hours system for startup firms, easing regulatory requirements for farming corporations, and lowering hurdles for agricultural land conversion. At the meeting, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe expressed his eagerness to draw up specific measures for envisioned deregulatory areas. The government aims to include regulatory reform steps in a new economic growth strategy that it plans to release next month. END