Hyogo is blessed with a rich natural environment, as well as history, culture, and resources. The prefecture is home to world-renowned landmarks such as Himeji Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as well as historic castle towns, hot spring resorts, and scenic coastal and mountainous landscapes. Traditional industries and cultural practices remain deeply rooted in local communities, reflecting the unique character of each region.
The 2025 HCMC - Hyogo Economic Forum is expected to attract elite resources from Japan and Hyogo Province to co-create advanced development models. - Photo: Government News Portal
The international city of Kobe has long served as one of Japan’s gateways to the world. Through Kobe Port and a history of global exchange, Hyogo has developed an open and diverse culture that welcomes people, ideas, and businesses from around the world. Today, numerous foreign residents, international organizations, and overseas companies contribute to the prefecture’s global outlook. Hyogo Prefecture has actively promoted international cooperation and people-to-people exchanges with partners around the world. In particular, Hyogo and Ho Chi Minh City have cultivated a close and long-standing relationship through economic, cultural, and institutional cooperation. Since signing a Memorandum of Friendship and Economic Exchange in 2007 and a Memorandum of Friendly Cooperation in 2024, the two sides have strengthened exchanges through regular high-level visits and policy dialogue.
A key platform for this relationship is the Hyogo Prefecture–Ho Chi Minh City Economic Promotion Conference, which brings together government officials, business leaders, and experts to discuss innovation, green growth, digital transformation, and sustainable development. Hyogo also maintains cooperative relations with other Vietnamese localities, including Dong Nai Province, Tay Ninh Province, Can Tho City, and Ninh Binh Province, promoting collaboration in economic development, investment, human resource development, education, and cultural exchange. Through these partnerships, Hyogo has supported business missions, investment seminars, and exchanges between universities and research institutions.
Hyogo Prefecture offers opportunities for investment, business expansion, and international collaboration. Located in the heart of the Kansai region, Hyogo provides access to one of Japan’s largest economic markets, supported by extensive transportation infrastructure including Kobe Port, airports, expressways, and high-speed rail networks.
Manufacturing is the driving force of Hyogo’s economy, accounting for approximately 27% of the GRP. Hyogo ranks fifth among Japan’s 47 prefectures in the value of manufactured goods shipments and possesses a highly diversified industrial structure. Key industries include steel, shipbuilding, chemicals, machinery, food processing, and advanced materials. The concentration of manufacturers and suppliers creates a strong industrial ecosystem that supports innovation and global business activities.
Looking toward the future, Hyogo Prefecture has identified five strategic industries:
Hydrogen Energy: Promoting development in hydrogen energy as one of Hyogo’s strategic industries.
Robotics: Advancing robotics technologies and related industrial development.
Advanced Mobility: Supporting the development of advanced mobility technologies.
Aerospace Technologies: Promoting aerospace technologies as a strategic industry.
Healthcare: Strengthening healthcare-related industries and innovation.
One of the prefecture’s flagship innovation hubs is the Kobe Biomedical Innovation Cluster (KBIC), Japan’s largest biomedical cluster. With approximately 370 research institutes, hospitals, universities, and companies, KBIC provides an environment for research, development, commercialization, and international partnerships.
Hyogo also actively supports foreign and overseas-affiliated companies through investment incentives, office rent subsidies, tax benefits, and business establishment assistance. About 80 foreign-affiliated companies have already established headquarters in the prefecture, demonstrating Hyogo’s attractiveness as an international business destination.
Kobe Port, one of Japan’s busiest and most historic international harbors, has served as a vital gateway for trade and cultural exchange for over 150 years, forming a deep bond with port cities around the world, including Ho Chi Minh City. Kobe is also renowned as one of Japan’s most livable cities, offering a blend of urban culture, diverse cuisine, and a welcoming international community.
Hyogo is home to Himeji Castle, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993 and recognized as one of the best-preserved castles in Japan. The prefecture is also home to “hinotori,” a cutting-edge surgical robot developed in Hyogo, exemplifying its leadership in medical innovation through the Kobe Biomedical Innovation Cluster. Kinosaki Onsen is another notable destination, known for its traditional wooden inns and willow-lined canals, offering visitors an authentic glimpse into the culture of Hyogo’s Tajima region.