Governor seeks to make Osaka special biz zone connected to Asia

+

OSAKA, May 23 Kyodo -
Osaka Gov. Toru Hashimoto called on the government on Sunday to designate the
prefecture as a special business zone that would serve as an entry point for
businesses across Asia, as the government considers legislating such a system
next year.
During a meeting in Osaka with Hashimoto, Senior Vice Cabinet Office Minister
Motohisa Furukawa unveiled the government's intention to submit related
legislation to parliament during the regular session that begins early next
year to implement a government initiative to create special business zones.
''Osaka will aim to become a city connecting (the rest of) Asia and Japan,''
the popular TV personality-turned-governor told Furukawa, who is secretary
general of the National Policy Unit.
Hashimoto revealed a plan to attract tourists and investment from other parts
of Asia via Osaka to vitalize the country as a whole. He also cited analysis
indicating that despite reductions and exemptions in corporate tax within the
business zone, the state would benefit from tax revenues in the long term.
''I want you to use Osaka as an experiment by letting it take responsibility,''
the governor said, adding that he undertakes to ensure that Osaka will not be
the only gainer should the initiative be implemented.
Noting that Japan's previous growth strategy involved creating miniature
versions of Tokyo elsewhere in the country, Furukawa said it is important to
ensure that regional success stories have ripple effects across the country.
''We will think of a structure that includes taxation,'' Furukawa, who is
involved in the formulation of economic and fiscal policy at the office, said.
Speaking with reporters after the meeting, Furukawa also said, ''While Osaka
has moved ahead (on this issue), other regions are also making similar
requests. By having them compete with each other, I want to make a breakthrough
in energizing Japan.''
==Kyodo
2010-05-23 21:09:44