Between 2019 and 2024, 84 Japanese direct investment projects were carried out in Paris Region, creating more than 4,300 jobs. In 2024 alone, our communities welcomed 15 Japanese projects that created 230 jobs.

From May 13 to 17, 2025, on the occasion of the Osaka World Expo, Choose Paris Region accompanied Valérie Pécresse, President of Paris Region, on an official trip to Kyoto, Osaka and Tokyo, along with Alexandra Dublanche, Chairwoman of Choose Paris Region and Vice-President of Paris Region in charge of Economic Development, Innovation and Attractiveness, and Baptiste Orlandini, Director General of Choose Paris Region. This strategic trip marks the strengthening of investment, technological cooperation, and innovation between the two regions.

Paris Region, the European hub for Japanese investment and innovation

Over 400 Japanese companies have chosen to set up in Paris Region, including some big names. The Horiba Group, which has been based in Essonne for over 65 years, is a prime example. This manufacturer of measuring instruments, gas analysis equipment, and optical equipment, with applications in many fields, has chosen to locate its European headquarters and R&D center in the heart of the Paris-Saclay ecosystem. It actively contributes to structural ecological transition projects as part of the France 2030 program. Another example is Iris Ohyama, a world leader in plastics recycling, which has set up a 699,654 sq. ft. industrial site in Lieusaint, Seine-et-Marne, to meet European demand, thanks to a skilled workforce, high-quality logistics infrastructure, and an environment conducive to innovation. They also helped produce masks in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis by shifting part of their production tools over to this essential product.

With 15 Japanese projects set up in 2024, the goal for the coming years is to maintain this investment trend. The trip's itinerary therefore included strategic meetings with potential investors. This was an opportunity to meet company executives and the Kansai Keizai Doyukai employers' association.

During the trip, the delegation visited the sites of Japanese companies that have set up in Paris Region: Horiba (Saclay), Kyocera (R&D, semiconductors, photovoltaics) and Daito Kasei (cosmetics).

 

 

Many thanks to all of our partners in Japan, Business France, Atout France, and all of the companies that contribute to the economic relationship between France and Japan on a daily basis.