Tastes of Queensland Showcase and Reception

Delivered with consecutive interpreting

Konbanwa. Good evening, everyone.

I begin by acknowledging Trade and Investment Queensland, Senior Commissioner for North Asia at Trade and Investment Queensland, Mr Tak Adachi and Director of Queensland Operations, Mr Tony Burnett; distinguished guests.

Thank you, Tak, for your kind words. As Governor of Queensland in Australia, I wish to express my gratitude to for the warm welcome you have given me, and our Queensland delegation to Japan.

I’m delighted to welcome you all this evening to this Tastes of Queensland Showcase and Reception. It’s wonderful to be here in Tokyo – this bustling metropolis mixed with rich history and culture, incredible landscapes and amazing architecture.

And it’s an honour to have more than 100 of you here representing the business, government and industry partners Queensland is working with. Each of you is a valued partner and friend of Queensland, reflecting the strong friendship between Queensland and Japan spanning decades.

The Queensland Government has had an official trade presence here since 1979. It’s been encouraging to hear about the strength of our trade relationship during briefings from Queensland’s longest serving international representative, Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner, Tak Adachi, and his team.

Japan is Queensland’s fourth largest agricultural export market, valued at $1.65 billion in the year ended March 2025. Our state’s major agricultural export items to Japan include beef, cereals, vegetables and fruit.

Our traditional Japanese trade and investment sectors from agribusiness and education to resources and energy remain strong thanks to some foundational partnerships.

Today is a chance to connect and enjoy Queensland’s more delicate and delicious exports – our food and beverages that are increasingly popular in Japan. The quality, consistency and variety of Queensland’s food and beverages are second to none, and back home, at Government House in Queensland, we proudly feature locally sourced produce in all our menus for official functions, so it is easy for me to promote the Tastes of Queensland with both experience and enthusiasm!

Shared meals bring people together in all cultures. Today, we’re showcasing some of the freshest and finest Queensland produce to give you a taste of what we have to offer in food and agriculture. From Queensland Wagyu beef to some of our most unique exports: macadamia nuts and chilled tropical rock lobster.

Agribusiness continues to be one of the major export industries for Queensland to Japan. Our fresh fruit and vegetables, beef, and organic products are highly sought after. In the year ending March 2025, Queensland accounted for two thirds of Australia’s total beef exports to Japan. The Queensland quality and consistency of cut is what local retailers and consumers appreciate.

I’m delighted that you will have the opportunity to taste some of this world-class food here today.

Queensland is also showcasing our many strengths at the Australia Pavilion at World Expo 2025, in Osaka. I’m looking forward to getting a bird’s eye view of the Expo 2025 Osaka site from the nearby Expo Association building on Friday.

As you can see, we have much in common and much to share and I look forward to strengthening our relationships.

Thank you for taking the time to join me today and for your wonderful hospitality on this mission.

I look forward to speaking with as many of you as I can about the opportunities ahead.

Please enjoy tonight’s event.

Arigato Gozaimasu.