Japan boosts trade ties with Sydney
In an effort to boost trade in Japan with Sydney businesses, the Japanese Government is funding a free seminar on 3rd October run by Austrade, the Australian Government’s export development agency.
According to Austrade , outside of Tokyo, in Japanese regions such as Kutchan, local governments are implementing strategies to assist investment and welcome trade.
Much of Japan is rural and highly populated than similar areas in Australia. It is in these regions and cities outside of Tokyo where infrastructure projects are underway and trade prospects are available.
Currently there is an unprecedented inflow of Australian investment primarily into Japanese infrastructure and resorts. There is also a trend for Aussie celebrity chefs like Luke Mangan setting up in Japan and they are seeing Australian musicians such as Tommy Emmanuel in Japan.
It is a myth that Japan is too expensive to deal with, because it is been Australia big export destination for 40 years. Now Japan is out of its recession of 15 years, there’ is sufficient money around for the Government to improve Japan’s infrastructure.
A keynote speaker at the seminar and former Australian businessman, President of Japan-based Hokkaido Tracks Development, Simon Robinson now oversees a thriving resort condominium and property development firm in the ski fields of Hokkaido, and will have completed over 120 apartments and houses in the Niseko area by the end of this year.
Robinson said you can buy land in Japanese locations where you could not buy anything else in the world for such reasonable prices and high returns.
Unlike ski fields in Australia like Thredbo, Japan’s resort areas are not yet as sophisticated although it is home to some of the best powder skiing in the world. Many resorts do not yet have fine dining restaurants, supermarkets or bottle-shops.
Although land prices have risen 1,000% in four years when they purchased their properties, even at 1,000% higher than four years ago, it is still a lot cheap than most ski resorts around the world.
Robinson has observed that as infrastructure investment in Japan increases, it brings with it many opportunities for Australia.
Many products in Japan cost a fortune. It is cheap to bring in exports from Australia. They have purchased a lot of their building materials from Australia including a range of items such as frameless glass shower screens, carpet, lighting, bedding and bath fittings to name just a few. They have also employed Australian accountants and lawyers.
Japan’s culture is changing from its sensei system where a small elite group of intellectuals and business people make decisions. The new Japan is open to new business techniques especially in regional/rural areas which are offering amazing opportunities for a wide range of professional services.
According to Robinson, a self-confessed weak Japanese speaker the Japanese treats Australians well. The Japanese all learn how to speak English at school. Japan is probably one of the most western-friendly non-English speaking countries in the world, most people speak a bit of English. It is an easy place to travel to and safe.
30-Aug-2007