POLESTAR HOLDINGS JAPAN Co., Ltd.

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Company Overview

Parent Company Location: Myanmar
Japan Office Establishment: August 30, 2024
Address: SERENITE Honmachi Echo 1001, 2-3-8 Kawaramachi, Chuo-ku, Osaka, Japan
Business Activities: Travel agency, import/export business, staffing services
Website: Myanmar Polestar

Interview

POLESTAR HOLDINGS is a conglomerate originally established in Myanmar, specializing in travel agency services and staffing solutions.

Founded in 2000, Myanmar Polestar primarily targets Japan, managing both inbound travel from Japan to Myanmar and outbound travel from Myanmar to Japan.

Following this, Polestar Service was launched to train and dispatch Myanmar workers seeking employment in Japan, particularly in the nursing care and hospitality industries.

In 2023, seven companies including these, were consolidated into a holding company, and the Japanese headquarters of the holding company was established in Osaka in August 2024.

For this interview, we spoke with CEO Kyaw Min Htin about the company’s expansion into Kansai, the appeal of the region, the public support utilized during the expansion, and his message for businesses considering entering the Japanese market.

Expansion into Kansai

ABC CHALLENGE Support Program

In 2023, we participated in the ABC CHALLENGE Support Program (*), organized by the Kansai Economic Federation (Kankeiren). Through this program, Kankeiren helped us enter the Japanese market, and we were able to establish several business partnerships with companies in Kansai. This was the catalyst for our decision to expand into Japan.

Although we also considered setting up a base in Tokyo, we found that the quick decision-making process of small and medium-sized companies in Kansai aligns well with the culture of Myanmar and our company. Above all, the strong support we received from Kankeiren played a crucial role in our decision to expand into Kansai.
Additionally, with the 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo expected to drive economic growth and expand market opportunities in the region, we see great potential in establishing our presence here.

(*) In April 2019, Kankeiren launched the Asia Business Creation Platform (ABC Platform) in collaboration with economic organizations from seven Asian countries. The ABC CHALLENGE Support Program was introduced as an initiative to support businesses interested in collaborating with Japanese businesses and entering the Japanese market.

Since establishing our Japan office, we have already received requests from well-known Myanmar companies seeking to expand their products into the Japanese market, asking us to serve as their import agent in Japan. This highlights the immediate benefits of our expansion.
As there are still relatively few Myanmar companies operating in Kansai, we also plan to leverage our uniqueness as a key selling point in the region.

The Attractiveness of Kansai

One of the main attractions of Kansai is how warm, friendly, and approachable the people are, which makes it easy to communicate and connect. Additionally, the region offers abundant tourism resources, including beautiful historical sites and landmarks in Kyoto and Nara, as well as Universal Studios Japan in Osaka. The infrastructure and quality of life are stable, making it a very comfortable place to live.

From a business perspective, many companies and individuals in Kansai are welcoming to new talent, and I feel that the region is a perfect fit for our business.

Public Support Utilized During Our Expansion

Through Kankeiren, we were introduced to the following support organizations that assisted us with the registration process.

IBPC Osaka: Provided a business support office and introduced us to an administrative scrivener
O-BIC: Offered a subsidy for registration costs (¥100,000)

The registration process for foreign companies can be quite complex, so we were very grateful to be introduced to an experienced administrative scrivener. Thanks to their assistance, we were able to complete the process smoothly.

Additionally, Kankeiren provided strong support for our expansion preparations by connecting us with public institutions, including government agencies and municipalities, as well as relevant companies. The introductions we received were particularly helpful when opening a bank account and searching for an office location. We truly believe that the connections and relationships we built played a crucial role in facilitating our expansion.

Message to Companies Considering Expansion

CEO Kyaw Min Htin

Before deciding to establish a base in Kansai, we recommend you that actually stay or live there. It will give you the chance to connect with support organizations and business partners, which can be invaluable when expanding your business.

Additionally, for company registration, I strongly advise working with an administrative scrivener who specializes in handling the registration process for foreign companies. Their expertise can help ensure a smooth and efficient process.

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