Shiga Prefecture

Shiga Prefecture is located near the geographic center of Japan and is home to Lake Biwa, the largest lake in the country, which occupies about one-sixth of the prefecture’s total area (approximately 4,017 square kilometers).
The prefecture is also home to numerous research institutions and a concentration of global companies. By collaborating with these organizations, Shiga aims to build an ecosystem that supports the discovery and development of new ventures and second-stage startups that contribute to the creation of new industries.

Population	Approximately 1.4 million
Economy	¥7.006 trillion Manufacturing accounts for about 40% of the prefecture’s gross product, the highest ratio in Japan. Many companies’ mother factories and R&D centers are concentrated in the prefecture.
Universities	･Home to 14 universities covering a wide range of academic fields. ･The number of students per 100,000 residents ranks 6th in Japan.
Support	Innovation Promotion Division Department of Commerce, Tourism and Labor Shiga Prefectural Government Email: fd00@pref.shiga.lg.jp
Access	From Kansai International Airport (KIX) ･About 1 hour 30 minutes by JR Limited Express “Haruka” to Otsu Station