Comprehensive Special Zone System positioned as a new national strategy for growth
2011
June
Comprehensive Special Zones Act established
September
Regional Council for the Asian Headquarters Special Zone created
Tokyo Metropolitan Government applies to Japanese government to designate Special Zone for Asian Headquarters as a Comprehensive Special Zone for International Competitiveness based on the Comprehensive Special Zones Act
December
Special Zone for Asian Headquarters designated as Comprehensive Special Zone for International Competitiveness
2012
March
Public relations activities to attract foreign companies to Tokyo's Special Zone conducted at the MIPIM, the World's Property Market exhibition, held in Cannes, France/li>
Public Wi-Fi service in Nishi-Shinjuku district starts
Public relations activities to attract foreign companies to Tokyo's Special Zone conducted at the ACHEMA2012 (World Exhibition Congress on Chemical Engineering, Environmental Protection and Biotechnology) exhibition held in Frankfurt, Germany
July
Vision for Tokyo's Special Zone for Asian Headquarters announced
Investment tax credit for R&D centers within the Special Zone areas starts
Business Development Center Tokyo, one-stop English-speaking consultation desk for foreign companies expanding into the Special Zone, opened in Marunouchi district
Act for Promotion of Japan as an Asian Business Center enforced
Public relations activities to attract foreign companies to the Special Zone conducted at the MEDICA2012 (International Trade Fair and the Congress for Medical Technology, Electromedicine, Laboratory Equipment, Diagnostics and Drugs) exhibition held in Dusseldorf, Germany
Presentations on the Special Zone project to foreign embassies in Tokyo conducted
December
Procedures completed to make cellular phone calls possible on the Toei Oedo Subway line (excluding the section between Tocho-mae station and Hikarigaoka station)
Aim for Tokyo Metropolitan Kokusai High School to be the first metropolitan high school to receive authorization as an International Baccalaureate school announced by the Tokyo Metropolitan Board of Education
Public relations activities to attract foreign companies to the Special Zone conducted at the Twelfth Plenary Meeting of Asian Network of Major Cities 21 in Hanoi
December
Japan's three megabanks agree to work on a system to allow foreign credit card users to withdraw cash at ATMs ahead of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics
2014
January
Presentation conducted on Tokyo's Special Zone at the "Arrows to Japan: The Road to Business Success" symposium held in London
Business Development Center Tokyo relocated to JP Tower
Invest Tokyo Seminar held at Jiji Press Hall
May
Tokyo designated as one of the National Strategic Special Zones
Governor Masuzoe spoke about Tokyo's proposal for the special economic zone at the Foreign Press Center/Japan
Change of Tokyo's Special Zone plan approved by the central government (addition of exceptional measures to regulations and a tax system to promote capital investment )
Granting "Intra-Company Transferee" status of residence to employees of a foreign company who are in Japan to prepare for the opening of a branch office, etc.
Special addition of points as highly advanced personnel to foreigners employed at companies dealing in operational business and research and development business, etc.
Special measures on taxation applied to cases where companies newly acquire or construct large assembly facilities, etc.
Tokyo Area's Special Zone plan (National Strategic Special Zone) approved by the Prime Minister
(Special provision to the Act on Special Measures concerning Urban Reconstruction / Special provision to the Specified Mixed Medical Care Coverage System / Special provision to the Medical Care Act concerning hospital bed regulations / Establishment of the Tokyo Employment Consultation Center)
2015
January
Change of Tokyo's Special Zone plan (Comprehensive Special Zone for International Competitiveness) approved by the central government
(Addition of redevelopment projects to the Business Environment Securing BCP (Business Continuity Plan) projects / Deregulation measures (project promoting the acceptance of highly skilled foreign professionals))
Ad to attract foreign direct investment to Tokyo's special economic zone placed in the bulletin of the British Chamber of Commerce in Japan
Banner ad to attract foreign direct investment to Tokyo's special economic zone placed on the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan website
March
Third meeting of the National Strategic Special Zone Council for the Tokyo Area held
Tokyo Area's Special Zone plan (National Strategic Special Zone) approved by the Prime Minister
(Special provision to the City Planning Act / Special provision to the Road Act concerning area management / Special provision to the Specified Mixed Medical Care Coverage System / Special provision to the Medical Care Act concerning hospital bed regulations / Establishment of the Tokyo One-Stop Business Establishment Center)
Tokyo One-Stop Business Establishment Center Opening Ceremony held held with the attendance of Prime Minister Abe and Governor Masuzoe
TMG achieves its fiscal 2014 goal, successfully encouraging 20 foreign companies to establish their regional headquarters or R&D centers in the special economic zone
Fourth meeting of the National Strategic Special Zone Council for the Tokyo Area held
Vice Governor Maeda gives a presentation at the National Strategic Special Zones Symposium
Tokyo Area's Special Zone plan (National Strategic Special Zone) approved by the Prime Minister
(Special provision to the City Planning Act / Special provision to the Road Act concerning area management / Special provision to bilateral agreements on foreign doctors)
July
Invest Tokyo Seminar 2015 in London held
August
Tokyo Area National Strategic Special Zone expanded to cover the entire area of Tokyo
September
Fifth meeting of the National Strategic Special Zone Council for the Tokyo Area held
Tokyo Area's Special Zone plan (National Strategic Special Zone) approved by the Prime Minister
(Special provision to the City Planning Act / Special provision to the Notary Act concerning certification of articles of incorporation by a notary outside the notary office)
October
Tokyo One-Stop Business Establishment Center launches services for certification of articles of incorporation by a notary at the center
Sixth meeting of the National Strategic Special Zone Council for the Tokyo Area held
Tokyo Area's Special Zone plan (National Strategic Special Zone) approved by the Prime Minister
(Special provision to the Inns and Hotels Act / Special provision to the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act) (Special provision to the Inns and Hotels Act / Special provision to the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act)
Tekko Building completed in the Marunouchi district
