Reception for the 50th anniversary of the Basic Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation between Australia and Japan

Representing the Premier, Minister for Women and Women’s Economic Security, Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships and Minister for Multiculturalism, the Honourable Fiona Simpson MP; Representing the Leader of the Opposition, Shadow Minister for Public Works, Shadow Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Ms Charis Mullen MP; Member for Theodore, Mr Mark Boothman MP; Commander 11th Brigade, Australian Army, Brigadier Mark Smith CSC; Consul-General of Japan in Brisbane, Mr Katsutoshi Ishikawa; Consul, Mr Takayuki Hirashima; Vice-Consul, Mr Yuya Kobayashi; representing the Deputy Consul-General, Ms Haruka Emoto, and the many other members of the Queensland Consular Corps who have joined us this evening; Councillors; distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen.

I begin by acknowledging the Original Custodians of the lands around Brisbane, the Turrbal and Jagera people, and pay my respects to Elders past, present and emerging.

As Governor and Chancellor of the Australia Japan Society in Queensland I am delighted to welcome you to Government House to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Basic Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation between Australia and Japan.

Tonight we come together in the spirit of goodwill to reflect on the valued friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation that unites our countries. This gathering also provides an opportunity to acknowledge other milestones, including the 130th anniversary of the establishment of Japan’s first diplomatic mission in Australia in Townsville, and the 60th anniversary of the opening of the Consulate-General of Japan in Brisbane.

Queensland’s bilateral relationship with Japan dates back to the late 1800s when Japan began importing Australian coal and wool. Around the same time, Japanese immigrants came to Australia to work in agriculture and maritime industries, including pearl diving.

Australia and Japan re-established bilateral relations in 1952 and our relationship has continued to grow, with deeper trade and investment links, further security cooperation, and closer people-to-people ties.

The signing of the Treaty in 1976 marked a new era in our bilateral relations, and today our partnership with Japan is one of the most enduring and mutually beneficial relationships in our region.

In his address to the National Press Club in Canberra last November, Japan’s Ambassador to Australia, His Excellency Mr Kazuhiro Suzuki, said the signing of the 1976 Treaty alone does not create strong ties; it is the bonds forged by organisations and individuals who over decades have fostered the enduring Japan-Australia relationship we see today.

Tonight we celebrate not only the Treaty itself, but the remarkable achievements that have been made possible since.

Japan is the now fourth-largest foreign investor in Australia, our third largest trading partner after China and the United States, and our second-largest export market.3 Last year there were over 420,000 short-term Japanese visitors to Australia and — for the first time — over one-million Australians visited Japan that year.

There are more than 1105 twin town and sister city relationships between Australia and Japan, including the Brisbane-Kobe Sister City Agreement — providing numerous opportunities to strengthen the relationship.

Queensland has played a central role in this story, with Japanese investment supporting industries across our State, from energy and resources to agriculture and tourism. Our universities host thousands of Japanese students each year, and our schools embrace Japanese language programs that foster cultural literacy and global awareness.

In his National Press Club address, Ambassador Suzuki reaffirmed that Japan-Australia cooperation, grounded in trust, remains essential to regional peace and security — a point underscored by today’s unsettled international environment. Both countries are also committed to closer cooperation on shared challenges including climate change, emerging technologies, economic security, critical minerals, and cyber security.

That growing strategic alignment, reaffirmed by both Prime Ministers in Canberra in May, is built on shared values and strong people-to-people ties — strengthened by many across diplomacy, government, community, business, education and culture.

These connections are also a tribute to the leadership of Consul-General Ishikawa Katsutoshi and the Consular Office of Japan in Cairns. The recently formed Queensland Parliamentary Friends of Japan Group is yet another important example of such partnerships fostered by the Consul-General.

On behalf of all Queenslanders, I congratulate everyone here this evening who has played a role in strengthening the special relationship between Japan and Queensland to ensure the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation remains vibrant and relevant.

May the successful friendships and partnerships between Japan and Queensland continue to strengthen and thrive in the years ahead.

Thank you.