Premier’s visit reconfirms strong tie with Japan

Premier Mark McGowan visited Tokyo and Hyogo, Japan during 20 to 23 January 2019 to strengthen economic ties with some of Western Australia’s key trade and investment partners, promoting the new Tokyo-Perth direct flight and confirming the importance of the long-standing Sister-State relationship.

The Premier met with the President and CEO of All Nippon Airways to personally thank him for the company’s co-operation and commitment to the Tokyo-Perth service commencing from September 2019, the first time a direct service between Japan and Perth has operated in more than eight years. The service will operate seven days a week and will bolster visitor numbers, grow the tourism industry and create more jobs for Western Australians.

Discussions around resource sector engagement in Western Australia were held with senior representatives, from Mitsubishi Corporation, Mitsui & Co., Tokyo Gas, Iwatani, JERA, INPEX Corporation, and key steel mills. During the mission, the Premier also met with government officials including the Australian Ambassador to Japan Hon Richard Court AC, and representatives of Tokyo City University.

Japan is the WA’s second-largest export destination. In 2017-18, Japan accounted for 15 per cent of the State’s exports. Petroleum and iron ore accounted for 93 per cent of Western Australia’s exports to Japan.

In Hyogo, the mission met with Governor Ido of Hyogo Prefecture and the Superintendent, Hyogo Board of Education to reconfirm the importance of the long-standing Sister State relationship. The Premier was also given a presentation by, and for of the Kobe Biomedical Innovation Cluster.