The NSW Government has established an historic trade foothold in Japan and North Asia, with the opening of Investment NSW's North Asia hub in the heart of Tokyo's oldest and most significant business district, Kyobashi.
NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet said the new hub signalled a significant step up in NSW and Japan's trade partnership and put NSW firmly on the map in the North Asia region.
"This hub creates a dynamic, personal presence for NSW in Japan - Australia's largest export market for goods - and it will be a short-cut for NSW projects and businesses to explore export and investment opportunities in North Asia," Mr Perrottet said.
"NSW businesses can now have confidence that their home state has a significant base in one of our most significant regional neighbours. By growing our presence on the ground here today, we are helping to create and support NSW jobs by driving greater engagement in Japan."
"Japan is a long-standing and significant economic partner for NSW, and the establishment of this office in the heart of Tokyo signals our shared commitment to an even stronger relationship".
In 2020-21, NSW exports to Japan reached $10.5 billion and two-way trade reached $17.1 billion.
The Governor of Tokyo Her Excellency Yuriko Koike said the office will further strengthen the bond between Tokyo and NSW.
"Congratulations on the opening of the New South Wales Representative Office in Japan. Tokyo is a city full of attractions and opportunities to start a new business, with its support for smooth business development and deregulation," Governor Koike said.
"We hope the NSW Tokyo office will serve as a new bridge between the State of NSW and Tokyo. We look forward to working hand in hand for further development."
The Tokyo office is led by Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner to North Asia, Michael Newman, with a focus on building upon NSW's already strong people-to-people links and profiling NSW's capabilities to government and commercial partners.
"It's a fantastic opportunity to lead our efforts from Tokyo, a country I've lived in for more than two decades," Mr Newman said.
"Our team's footprint continues to expand and is focused on assisting the Japanese achieve long-term energy security via large-scale investment and export opportunities in green hydrogen, ammonia and critical minerals unique to NSW.
"We will also promote our state as a wonderful tourist destination, not to mention the plethora of opportunities in international education."
