The Kansai region also boasts a large market with a leading economic role in Japan and the world. Numerous universities and other scholarly institutions provide a supply of human resources that is broad and diverse, allowing businesses to obtain the personnel they need. Moreover, the ratio of working people is high in every Kansai prefecture. In addition, urban redevelopment is also flourishing. One distinguished large redevelopment project in Kansai that is expected to stimulate further market expansion is the redevelopment plan for the district north of JR Osaka Station which is comprised of about 24 hectares, including the former Umeda Kita train yard.

The total production of the Kansai region is equivalent in scale to that of some countries.

Kobe Convention Center (C)Kobe Convention & Visitors Bureau	Osaka Station north yard development (C)Urban Renaissance Agency

National level international exchange began in Kansai in ancient times with diplomatic missions sent to the Chinese Sui Dynasty early in the 7th century. In recent years, the ports of Osaka and Kobe have expanded their roles as international trade ports. Furthermore, Kansai International Airport opened as an international hub airport in 1994 and Kobe International Airport opened in 2006. Together with Osaka International Airport (Itami Airport), which hosts mainly domestic routes, Kansai air travel is very convenient. Along with improvements to the transportation infrastructure, various efforts are being made to stimulate the Kansai economy including support for international conventions and the entry of foreign enterprises.

Kansai International Airport (C)Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau www.osaka-info.jp	Rokko-island (C)Kobe Convention &Visitors Association