The western Japanese city of Kobe on Tuesday set up a dedicated office for business with Asian countries including China, aiming to promote economic activities of local Japanese firms.

The new office titled "Kobe Asian Business Support Center" was established in the city center to provide the latest information about trade and investment in fast-growing ASEAN countries, India, South Korea and China, which is particularly fit for small and medium-sized companies to follow.

Vice Mayor Yoshihiro Koshiba said at the opening ceremony that while many small or medium-sized makers or firms in the city are currently facing fierce economic competition due to the impact of globalization, they need to develop new overseas market for their products and services.

"The new office should be functioned as an ideal place to facilitate business opportunities and cooperation between Kobe and Asia," he said.