asap Lange Japan K.K.

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Company Overview

Parent Company Location: China
Japan Office Establishment: 2023
Address: 7th Floor, Kobe Kyukyoryuchi Heiwa Building, 49 Harimacho, Chuo-ku, Kobe City
Business Activities: Import and sales of medical endoscopes and surgical instruments
Website: Lange MedTech

Interview

asap Lange Japan K.K. was established in September 2023 as the first overseas subsidiary of Lange MedTech (hereafter, Lange)—a Chinese medical device manufacturer（*1）.

(*1) In December 2022, Lange acquired the German endoscope manufacturer asap endoscopic products (hereafter "asap"), expanding into the field of endoscopic treatment.

The company serves as the import and sales hub in Japan for medical endoscopes and surgical instruments manufactured in China and Germany. After obtaining regulatory approval, it has been gradually introducing its products to the Japanese market.

For this interview, we spoke with Noboru Ohta, CEO of asap Lange Japan, about the company’s expansion into Kansai, the appeal of the region, the public support utilized during the expansion process, and his message for businesses considering entering the market.

Expansion into Kansai

When planning our entry into Japan, many at Lange’s headquarters naturally asked, “Why establish a base in Kobe instead of Tokyo?”
Despite this, we ultimately chose Kansai—specifically, Kobe—for two key reasons.

The first was the presence of the Kobe Biomedical Innovation Cluster (KBIC) on Port Island. This cluster not only offers strong support but also provides valuable services such as medical device testing and consulting on product introduction under Japan's Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Act (PMDA), which was a significant advantage for our company.

Another reason was the comprehensive support and one-stop services provided by JETRO Kobe. When we consulted with JETRO about our expansion, they seamlessly connected us with local governments and support agencies, streamlining the necessary procedures and creating an environment that allowed us to smoothly launch our business.

The Attractiveness of Kobe

Kobe is an attractive location for businesses like ours that specialize in import and sales. With a major port, the city boasts a well-developed logistics infrastructure. Additionally, with international flights set to begin at Kobe Airport next year, the region presents strong growth potential.

Another key advantage I think, is its affordability, particularly in terms of rental costs. Office rent in Kobe is about 30-40% lower than prime locations in Tokyo, which helps reduce initial investment costs, accelerate profitability, and create a more sustainable business environment.

Public Support Utilized During Our Expansion

We leveraged JETRO Kobe's one-stop service and received extensive public support, which allowed us to successfully launch our business.

・JETRO Kobe(*2): Introduction to legal professionals who can assist in English and Chinese, and other partner companies.
(*2)Please check the JETRO website for details.
・Hyogo-Kobe Investment Support Center: Office space introduction
・Hyogo Prefecture: Rent subsidy (*3)
・Kobe City: Introduction to banks and rent subsidy (*3)
(*3) Both Hyogo Prefecture and Kobe City provide a 25% rent subsidy each

With the support of these public institutions, we were able to swiftly complete essential procedures, such as opening a bank account and contracting with legal professionals.

Message To Foreign-Affiliated Companies Considering Expansion

CEO Noboru Ohta

I believe Kobe is an ideal location for companies looking to enter the Japanese market. Despite differences in climate and legal frameworks, the well-developed infrastructure and welcoming environment make expansion here very reassuring.

Additionally, from a lifestyle perspective, Kobe offers high convenience and abundant natural surroundings, making it an excellent place to live.
Having experienced the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake, Kobe has also implemented strong disaster preparedness measures, making it a highly resilient area when it comes to disaster response.

Contact Information

Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Kansai Bureau
International Investment Promotion Division
Address: 1-5-44 Otemae, Chuo-ku, Osaka, 540-8535
Phone：+81-6-6966-6033
E-Mail：invest-japan-kansai@meti.go.jp