1. Fifth Japan-Australia Economic Ministerial Dialogue

On October 8, the Fifth Japan-Australia Economic Ministerial Dialogue was held, and Minister Nishimura had a working lunch with Minister Farrell and a meeting with Minister Farrell together with Minister Bowen and Minister King.

(1) Working lunch with Minister Farrell

While taking lunch, Minister Nishimura held discussions with Minister Farrell of Australia, a special strategic partner of Japan that shares democratic values and the vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific (FOIP). They covered a variety of topics such as cooperation in the field of trade, including IPEF, CPTPP, and WTO, cooperation in the field of startups, the G7 Trade Ministers' Meeting to be held in Osaka at the end of October 2023, and other issues.

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(2) Meeting with Minister Farrell, Minister Bowen, and Minister King

Following the working lunch, Minister Nishimura held a meeting with Minister Farrell together with Minister Bowen and Minister King. They agreed on the following: ensuring a stable supply of LNG, coal, and other resources and a reliable investment environment; continuing to cooperate in strengthening the supply chains of critical minerals; and further expanding the scope of cooperation to cover decarbonization and innovation, including hydrogen, ammonia, and CCUS, to contribute to the decarbonization of the Asian region under the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) concept. Based on the result of discussions, Japan and Australia issued a joint ministerial statement after the dialogue.

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2. Attending an Australia-Japan Joint Business Conference (as a speaker)

At a session of the 60th Australia-Japan Joint Business Conference, Minister Nishimura delivered a speech on the further enriching of Japan-Australia economic ties. Following this, Minister Farrell announced the design of the Australia Pavilion to be displayed at the 2025 World Exposition in Japan (Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan).

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3. Signing ceremony for MOUs

Under the witness of Minister Nishimura and Minister Farrell, the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) and the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to further vitalize business exchange focusing on Japan-Australia innovation through the enhancement of JETRO-Austrade collaboration. In addition, two MOUs between startups in Japan and a company and an organization in Australia were announced.

Signing ceremony for MOUs between startups in Japan and a company and an organization in Australia

1. EX-Fusion Inc., a startup developing a commercial laser fusion power, and Electro Optic Systems, an Australian company, concluded an MOU to conduct a supplementary demonstration test tracking space debris on the smallest scale by using a high-repetition, high-power laser system.
2. Green Carbon Inc. and affiliated companies including Australian universities concluded an MOU. Under this MOU, they will aim to conduct carbon farming targeting 2 million hectares of farmland and finally achieve a goal of sequester up to 50 million tons of CO2 equivalent in the ground over a long period of time.

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4. Boarding a ship called Suiso Frontier

On October 8, Minister Nishimura visited the Port of Hastings, Victoria. Together with Minister King and Mr. Tim Pallas MP, the Treasurer of Victoria State Government, Australia, they visited, boarded the world’s first liquefied hydrogen carrier, called Suiso Frontier, and further deepened their understanding of Japan's advanced technology.

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5. Visiting Melbourne Connect, etc

Accompanying some members of a mission of 12 startups from Japan, Minister Nishimura visited Melbourne Connect, an incubation facility on the premises of the University of Melbourne, and exchanged views respectively with Dr. Justin Zobel, a professor of the university, Mr. Adam Cunneen, Commissioner of the State of Victoria to Japan, and other stakeholders. In addition, he exchanged views with representatives of the participating Japanese startups.

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6. Meetings with a local startup, etc.

Minister Nishimura held a meeting on business environments, etc. for startups in Japan and Australia and other issues with Litecard Pty Ltd., a fintech startup in Melbourne, and Daiwa Capital Markets Australia Limited.

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7. Meeting with the Mayor of Melbourne

At the Melbourne Town Hall, Minister Nishimura held a meeting with Lord Mayor Sally Capp AO, Mayor of Melbourne. He asked the mayor about the policies for urban development of the city, and then the two sides exchanged views on cooperation and initiatives for business development by startups and other businesses, with the aim of encouraging Melbourne to become a source for creating Japan-Australia innovation.

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8. Meeting with Mr. Gordon Flake, Professor and Chief Executive Officer of the Perth USAsia Centre, the University of Western Australia

Minister Nishimura held a meeting with Professor Gordon and the two sides exchanged views on economic security in the Indo-Pacific region and other issues.

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Related Link

• Joint Ministerial Statement of the Fifth Japan-Australia Economic Ministerial Dialogue(PDF:164KB)PDF

Divisions in Charge

• Information on the visit in general:

  Asia and Pacific Division, Trade Policy Bureau
  International Affairs Division, Commissioner's Secretariat, Agency for Natural Resources and Energy

• Information on the Suiso Frontier:

  Hydrogen and Ammonia Division, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Department, Agency for Natural Resources and Energy