Sydney businesses learn of Japanese opportunities

In an effort to boost Japanese trade with Sydney businesses, the Japanese Government is funding a free seminar on 3 October, organised by Austrade.

Austrade's Sapporo-based Trade Commissioner, Sally Phillips, said local governments in Japanese rural regions are implementing strategies to assist investment, welcoming foreign trade in the process.

"Much of Japan is very, very rural and more highly populated than similar areas in Australia. It's in these regions and cities outside of Tokyo where infrastructure projects are underway and trade prospects are available," Phillips said.

"Currently there's an unprecedented inflow of Australian investment primarily into Japanese infrastructure and resorts. There's also a trend for Aussie celebrity chefs like Luke Mangan setting up in Japan and we're seeing Australian musicians such as Tommy Emmanuel here.

"It's a myth that Japan is too expensive to deal with, because it's been our biggest export destination for 40 years. Now Japan is out of its recession of 15 years, there's sufficient money around for the Government to improve Japan's infrastructure," she said.

A keynote speaker at the seminar, President of Japan-based Hokkaido Tracks Development, Simon Robinson, used to be an Australian businessman but now oversees a thriving resort condominium and property development firm in the ski fields of Hokkaido. He 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 unbeatable by anywhere else in the world for reasonable prices and high returns.

"Unlike ski fields in Australia like Thredbo, Japan's resort areas aren't yet as sophisticated " although it's home to some of the best powder skiing in the world. Many resorts don't yet have fine dining restaurants, supermarkets or bottle-shops," Robinson said.

"Although land prices have risen 1,000 per cent in four years when we purchased our properties, even at 1,000 per cent higher than four years ago, it's still a lot cheaper 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.

"Japan's culture is changing from its "sensei' system " where a small elite group of intellectuals and business people make decisions," he said. "The "new' Japan is more open to new business techniques, especially in regional/rural areas which are offering amazing opportunities for a wide range of professional services."

For more information about exports or to register to attend the seminar phone Austrade on 13 28 78.