The new centre will offer support to businesses looking to expand abroad and serve as a hub for talent networks. The government also envisions venture capital firms and foreign companies using the facility to connect with Japanese startups. Offices may be established later in other cities as well.

Such programmes are becoming more common in other countries. South Korea, for example, has four facilities in locations including Silicon Valley and Washington, offering talent training programmes and venues for dialogue with potential investors.

In addition to the new centre, Tokyo will expand a plan to send 1,000 entrepreneurs abroad within five years. Possibilities include sending participants to Silicon Valley and other destinations, such as New York, Boston, Singapore or Israel, based on their plans. The programme will be opened up to university and technical college students.

Japan is also preparing a new subsidy for programmes that provide technical and business guidance from experts in IT fields, such as professors and company leaders. The initiative is expected to provide support to hundreds of people. The government aims to foster talent in areas where Japan has an edge, such as artificial intelligence.