Industrial Capital
of Japan

Aichi boasts the third largest GDP in Japan after Tokyo and Osaka, and the largest annual value of manufactured goods shipments in the nation for every year since 1977. This section introduces industries in Aichi.

Industrial Data

Aichi is strongly characterized by the manufacturing industry. The detailed industry structure shows that manufacturing accounts for 35.1% of the prefectural GDP.

Aichi's Industrial Structure

The annual value of manufactured goods shipments from Aichi has been the highest in Japan for every year since 1977. According to the Survey Results on Factory Location Trends in 2024, Aichi ranked second in the nation with 67 factories and also second with 137.7 hectares in terms of factory area, indicating a continued high level of willingness to locate factories in Aichi.

Aichi's exports are 20.2 trillion yen, also ranking first in Japan. While Japan's overall trade balance is in deficit, Aichi has a trade balance surplus of approximately 10.2 trillion yen. Aichi boasts top national market share in 10 of the 24 manufacturing industries, including transportation machinery and equipment, which boasts a 40% share of the national market. Aichi leads the Japanese economy in the manufacturing industry.

Industrial Data

Automotive Industry

Aichi is home to Japan’s largest automotive cluster, with TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION and other automotive-related companies such as TOYOTA INDUSTRIES CORPORATION, AISIN CORPORATION, DENSO CORPORATION, and TOYOTA BOSHOKU CORPORATION.

Cluster of Automotive Companies
Cluster of Automotive Companies

Robotic Industry

The robot manufacturing industry in Aichi boasts one of the highest concentrations in Japan in terms of annual value of manufactured goods shipments, number of establishments, and number of employees. In addition to the development and manufacturing bases of major robotics manufacturers, many universities and other research institutes are located in the prefecture. Aichi has also established the "Aichi Robot Industry Cluster Promotion Council" to promote the development and diffusion of robotics, with the aim of growing the robotics industry.

Cluster of Robotics Companies
Cluster of Robotics Companies

Aerospace Industry

Aichi is located in the central Japan region, which is a major production center for the aerospace industry. It manufactures about 30% of the aircraft and aircraft-related components made in Japan. The Aichi Prefectural Government takes full advantage of the incentive programs of “The Special Zone to Create Asia's No.1 Aerospace Industrial Cluster,” which is designated as one of the Comprehensive Special Zones for International Competitiveness. The Aichi Prefectural Government promotes R&D, development of market and human resources through industrial-academic-governmental cooperation.

Cluster of Aerospace Companies
Cluster of Aerospace Companies

Startups

In 2018, following the formulation of the “Aichi Startup Strategy”, the Aichi Prefectural Government launched the "STATION Ai Project" to promote innovation and form a startup ecosystem. At the core of the project is STATION Ai, Japan’s largest startup support center, which opened in October 2024. Operated by STATION Ai Corp., established by SoftBank, STATION Ai aims to create, nurture, expand, and attract startups, while also promoting open innovation between affiliated startups and partner companies.

The Aichi-Nagoya region together with the Hamamatsu region was selected as a startup ecosystem hub by Japan’s Cabinet Office in July 2020, in cooperation with the business community, universities, and local governments. In June 2025, the ecosystem was further expanded to include Gifu, Mie, and Shizuoka prefectures, forming a new collaborative framework. The aim is to form a world-class global startup ecosystem by expanding this framework across a broader region, supporting startups through regional collaboration, and leveraging diverse expertise to create innovation, incubate startups, and generate synergy in an integrated manner.

  • STATION Ai (opened in October 2024)

  • STATION Ai (opened in October 2024)

  • STATION Ai (opened in October 2024)

  • STATION Ai (opened in October 2024)

STATION Ai (opened in October 2024)

  • Total floor area: 23,600㎡
  • Number of users: Approximately 550 startups and 350 partner companies (As of September 1, 2025)
  • Facility Details:
    • Office space for startups, partner companies, and international startup support institutions
    • Accommodation, fitness gym
    • Aichi Founders Museum, tech lab, childcare facility, event spaces, meeting rooms, cafés and restaurants, convenience store

Furthermore, the Aichi Prefectural Government is implementing startup support programs in collaboration with University of Texas at Austin, Tsinghua University/TUS Holdings, and other institutions leading global innovation.

The Aichi Prefectural Government works with 20 startup support institutions and universities in 8 countries.
The Aichi Prefectural Government works with 20 startup support institutions and universities in 8 countries.
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