Smart City Expo World Congress
"Special Zone System"
Creating a New Future for Regions
November 3-5, 2026
Fira Barcelona Gran Via, Barcelona, Spain
What are National Strategic Special Zones?
Established in 2013, the National Strategic Special Zone system aims to implement bold regulatory and institutional reforms to create "the most business-friendly environment in the world."
Addressing regulations and systems that hinder new initiatives by local governments and businesses, it promotes reform through the introduction of special measures, thereby aiming to strengthen international industrial competitiveness and establish international economic hubs.
Regulatory Reform Initiatives in Japan
Regional Revitalization Through Regulatory Reform
Japan's Special Zone System promotes regulatory and institutional reforms when nationwide uniform regulations and systems do not fit corporate activities or local realities, thereby driving initiatives that lead to the revitalization of the Japanese economy and local regions.
National Strategic Special Zones provide special measures across diverse fields, including urban regeneration, transport/logistics, entrepreneurship/investment promotion, foreign human resources, tourism, healthcare, nursing care, childcare, education/research, agriculture/forestry/fisheries, and environment/energy.
Startups
Supporting Startup Initiatives Through the Special Zone System
Under the National Strategic Special Zones framework, businesses, including startups, are invited to submit proposals for regulatory and institutional reforms.
A range of measures are available to support the creation of new businesses and business growth. These include special regulatory measures introduced based on proposals from businesses, as well as tax incentives available to businesses, including startups.
Japan Pavilion
The Cabinet Office, Tsukuba City, and Osaka Prefecture/Osaka City will exhibit in the Japan Pavilion at SCEWC 2026.
We will disseminate Japan's pioneering initiatives to the world, including regulatory reforms and the social implementation of advanced technologies and services through the National Strategic Special Zone system.
Exhibition Theme
Solving Regional Challenges and Creating New Business Opportunities Utilizing National Strategic Special Zones
Exhibition Objective
This exhibition aims to disseminate to the global community Japan's National Strategic Special Zone system, regulatory reform initiatives, and advanced regional efforts, while also introducing these measures to SCEWC participants, including overseas companies and startups.
About the Japan Pavilion
The Japan Pavilion is a joint exhibition area showcasing initiatives on smart cities and urban innovation led by Japanese cities and regions. At SCEWC 2026, government agencies, local municipalities, businesses, and related organizations will gather to present to the world their initiatives and projects. The Cabinet Office, Tsukuba City, and Osaka Prefecture/Osaka City will present their advanced regional initiatives within National Strategic Special Zones.
Solving Regional Challenges and Creating New Business Opportunities Utilizing National Strategic Special Zones
We disseminate regulatory reforms and advanced initiatives in National Strategic Special Zones to an international audience. This exhibition features the social implementation of advanced technologies and services and regulatory reform cases in various regions, including the Tsukuba Super Science City Initiative and the Osaka Super City Initiative.
Improving Residents' QOL and Strengthening Urban Competitiveness Through Social Implementation of Advanced Services Leveraging Data and Regulatory Reform
Osaka Prefecture and Osaka City aim to improve residents’ quality of life (QoL) and enhance urban competitiveness through the demonstration and implementation of advanced services enabled by regulatory reform. At this exhibition, we will showcase initiatives toward the social implementation of Personal Health Records (PHR), Japanese language instruction for foreign children, community development through Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAO), elderly support through Physical AI, disaster resilience, and Advanced Air Mobility (AAM).
Tsukuba Super Science City Initiative:
Creating New Opportunities and Diverse Happiness Through Science and Technology
Under the Tsukuba Super Science City Initiative, Tsukuba City aims to optimize its urban functions and improve residents' lives through science and technology. Our exhibit highlights advanced initiatives built on a foundation of connection with residents, such as visualization of citizens' feedback using generative AI, internet voting, smart mobility, health management using personal data, and a holiday and night digital emergency medical center.