Japanese Investment in Australia

Today I launch Japanese Investment in Australia: A Trusted Partnership, which shows how one of Australia's oldest economic partners is building on established ties to support the next wave of innovation and growth.

The report recognises and celebrates the significant role of Japanese investment in Australia's economy. Importantly, it also looks to the future and to new areas of investment cooperation emerging with Japan.

The report coincides with the 60th anniversary of the historic Agreement on Commerce, which laid the foundations for the resumption of significant trade and investment relations between Australia and Japan after World War II.

Our two nations' ongoing commitment to open markets and a strong, rules-based global trading system has since paved the way for the Japan-Australia Economic Partnership Agreement which has eliminated tariffs on more than 3,400 Australian product lines.

Today, Japan is our second largest export market and second largest source of foreign direct investment after the United States – and its investment in Australia continues to grow.

Japanese investment and off take agreements over the decades helped lay the foundation for the opening of the Pilbara's iron ore, the Bowen Basin's coal and the North West Shelf's LNG.

The report highlights that from 2010 and 2016, Japanese investment in Australia increased by 78 per cent to more than $91 billion. This investment is creating and supporting Australian jobs.

Along with investments in advanced manufacturing, the report notes that Japanese companies are also diversifying into services including tourism, infrastructure, ICT, finance and agribusiness.

These new developments promise further mutual benefit for both countries, creating jobs, supporting prosperity and consolidating a partnership stretching back decades.

The report is available at: www.austrade.gov.au/japaneseinvestment