 1. Demographics
Kansai is the term used for the region, near the center of the Japanese archipelago, that includes the seven prefectures of Osaka, Hyogo, Kyoto, Nara, Mie, Shiga and Wakayama. The major cities of Kansai are Osaka, Kobe and Kyoto. About 22,000,000 people live in the region.
2. Climate
Kansai is in a moderate temperate zone and enjoys four distinct seasons.
Spring, autumn and winter are fairly mild. Summer is hot and humid. There is also a six week rainy season from early June that gives way to summer, which lasts until early September. January and February have a few days when the mercury plunges below freezing. Snow falls occasionally, but rarely accumulates. In general, though, winters are sunny, brisk and short. It begins to warm up in late February. The average temperature is 4.7°C (40.5°F) in January and 27.7°C (81.9°F) in August.
3. Economy
Kansai has a tremendous impact on Japan's economy, generating about 20% of the nation's GDP and 3% of the world's. The Osaka Securities Exchange is the fourth largest in the world, after New York, London, and Tokyo.
Some of the biggest corporate names in Japan have their homes in Kansai, such as Matsushita (National/Panasonic), Sharp, Kyocera, Nintendo, and the Sumitomo Group. Low land, labor and living costs, and a general willingness to accept new things make Kansai attractive to foreign companies, as well, including Procter & Gamble and Nestle. More international companies are likely to set up operations in the area now that the Kansai International Airport has become an important 24-hour connection to the rest of Asia.
 4. Kansai Transportation Infrastructure
Touted as the nation's most developed transportation network, Kansai's vast railway and highway system is convenient and extensive. Kobe port is one of the world's largest container shipping facilities. Kansai International Airport offers direct flights to nearly 80 cities throughout Asia, the Americas, and Europe.
5. History of Kansai
The capital of Japan was located in the Kansai region from the dawn of Japanese history up until the 19th century when it was moved to Tokyo. Kyoto, of course, was long the imperial capital (1,100 years), and as such is the home to many of Japan's famed traditional arts; today, it is the country's most popular sightseeing center. Nara has an important place in Japanese history, too, because it is here that Buddhism and the arts associated with it first flourished. Osaka has long been Japan's commercial center and link to the outside world. |
