Japan
Victoria and Japan share a long and mutually beneficial economic partnership with Japan being our third largest trading partner and our fourth largest export market as of June 2019.
Since the Japan-Australia Economic Partnership Agreement (JAEPA) came into force in 2015, Victorian businesses have been given preferential access to export their premium goods and services to Japan.
Video: Japan and Australia – celebrating our friendship
Opportunities for Victorians looking to do business with Japan
Food and fibre
Victoria food and fibre sector is globally recognised as one of the world's leading suppliers of premium food and agri products.
As Japan's interest and demand for high quality, clean food products continues to increase, Victorian exporters are well placed to supply Japan with premium meat and dairy products, citrus, table grapes and nuts, food ingredients and unique premium food.
International education
Japan is internationalising its higher education sector to deliver a globally competitive workforce. Opportunities have emerged for Victoria's leading educational institutions seeking trade partnerships, research and development collaboration, and international student placements.
English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS) attracts large numbers of students from Asia, and the demand from Japanese students continues to be high.
Tourism
In 2019 nearly 91,500 Japanese visited Victoria, making Japan Victoria’s ninth largest source country for overseas visitors.
The global outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19) has deeply affected the tourism landscape in 2020. This unprecedented global crisis will have long lasting impacts on the visitor economy in Victoria. The negative impact of the crises was evident for the March 2020 quarter as visitors from Japan declined 18.8 per cent compared to the March quarter in 2019.
Medtech, Pharma and Life Sciences
Victoria's leading medtech and pharma businesses with expert skills and capabilities in the health and aged care sectors are strongly placed to address the needs of Japan's rapidly ageing population.
Opportunities have emerged to supply innovative products and services and collaborate in the areas of medical research and development, education, medical devices and healthcare management.
Major events
As the host nation for the 2021 Olympics, Japan provides key opportunities for Victorian businesses to export and supply products and services in sports infrastructure, major event management, catering, hospitality training and security.
Fast facts
In 2018-19, Victoria's food and fibre exports to Japan were valued at A$1.29 billion, with major exports being dairy, meat, prepared foods and horticulture.
- Victoria's two-way merchandise trade with Japan was valued at A$7.3 billion in the 2018-19 financial year.2
- Japanese visitors spent A$231 million in Victoria in the calendar year 2019.3
- Based on nominal GDPJapan's economy is the world's third largest national economy.4
Source:
- Victorian Food and Fibre Export Performance Report 2018-19
- DFAT data
- Business Victoria,Tourism Industry Resources website
- International Monetary Fund 2020
Discover how your business can export to Japan
- Our Go Global export-readinesss self-assessment tool will identify your business's gaps in capabilities and recommend next steps to bridge those gaps. Whether you're seeking to enter new markets, or expand into existing markets, Go Global will show you how to get there.
- Asialink Business' Japan Country Starter Pack provides a comprehensive guide to doing business in Japan.
- The Commissioner for Victoria to Japan and Korea is based at the Victorian Government Trade and Investment (VGTI) office in Tokyo. Our VGTI offices provide tailored market intelligence, insights and guidance for your export business, and can connect you with overseas buyers and industry partners in Japan.
- The Victorian Government provides support through a range of grants, vouchers and assistance programs.
- Austrade's Japan Market Profile provides further detail and facts about the Japanese market.
- The International Chamber House (ICH) in Melbourne's city centre is a business networking hub for international bilateral chambers and business associations. It provides members access to meeting rooms with video-conferencing, flexible workspaces, and a function space for international business development events.
- Visit our regional insights page to read seasonal updates from our Regional Specialists.
