9 September 2025
Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro will today depart for Japan on her first overseas visit, reinforcing the Northern Territory's strategic and economic partnerships with Japan - especially in gas, mining and defence.
The program includes engagements with the Japanese Government and the Australian Embassy, with a focus on increasing the presence of the Japanese Self-Defense Force in the Territory, utilising local military ranges.
On the energy and resources front, Mrs Finocchiaro will meet with major stakeholders including INPEX, JERA, LNG Tanker and Tokyo Gas. The visit follows a productive meeting in Darwin yesterday with Tivan and its joint venture partner Sumitomo Corporation.
Mrs Finocchiaro said her priority during her first year in office was taking action at home to reduce crime, rebuild the economy and restore the Territory lifestyle.
"Territorians elected a CLP Government to deliver major reform, and my focus has been here at home," Mrs Finocchiaro said.
"As the CLP moves into its second year, it is critical to strengthen economic and defence relationships with our closest allies in Japan and the United States to secure investment in the Territory and grow our economy.
"By making my first overseas mission to Japan, I am sending a clear message: the Northern Territory is the allied partner of choice for regular rotations of the Japanese Self-Defense Force."
Whilst in Japan, Mrs Finocchiaro will tour the Naoetsu LNG Terminal and Kashiwazaki Clean Hydrogen Plant to see first-hand their carbon capture and storage projects, LNG import facilities and green energy pilot programs.
"Japan already has strong relationships with the Northern Territory in gas and mining, and I want to turbocharge their presence in the NT. Our partnership is not only about strategic alignment, but also about shared energy security, food security and defence security."
The Chief Minister said the Territory's Rebuilding the Economy Strategy set out a clear plan to leverage strategic partnerships to deliver local jobs and investment. She also confirmed the government would deepen direct engagement with Indo-Pacific Command, with a visit to Pearl Harbor planned for early next year.
"Ninety cents in every defence dollar spent in the Territory goes directly to local businesses - we must keep securing more of that investment," Mrs Finocchiaro said.
"The Territory is a trusted partner of Defence. Our businesses are capable, competitive and ready to deliver. Defence expenditure already contributes close to $1 billion annually to our economy, with more than 90 per cent flowing directly to Territory companies. We must build on this momentum."
Lieutenant General Shigeki Muto (retired), former Japan Air Self-Defense Force officer and member of the DefenceNT Strategy Group, welcomed the visit.
"It is an ideal time for the Chief Minister to engage with senior leaders in Japan, following the recent Trilateral Defence Ministers' Meeting and the Australia-Japan 2+2 discussions," Lieutenant General Muto said.
"Recent policy developments in both countries mean defence cooperation will be strengthened, including Exercise Southern Cross next year - the first ever trilateral Australia-US-Japan F-35 training activity in northern Australia."
