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The Consulate-General of Japan in Perth, in partnership with the Australian Institute of International Affairs (AIIA), invites you to Japan and Australia: economic cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.

This special Friday afternoon symposium overlooking the Swan River in East Perth will feature a keynote presentation by visiting high-profile Japanese Government official, Professor Tomohiko Taniguchi, Special Advisor to the Cabinet of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

A panel discussion will follow with expert commentary from:

• Sam Walsh AO - Director, Mitsui & Co (former CEO, Rio Tinto)

• Fiona Simson - President, National Farmers Federation

• Prof. Mark Beeson - Professor of International Politics, University of Western Australia

Over the course of the afternoon understand more about the international geo-strategic environment, areas for greater economic cooperation in specific sectors between Australia and Japan, and the future economic opportunities presented by the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the Japan Australia Economic Partnership Agreement (JAEPA).

Doors open at 1:30pm for a 2:00pm start. Afternoon tea will be provided.

This is a no cost event, but capacity is strictly limited - register early to avoid disappointment!

For more information on this event, contact the AIIA National Office on (02) 6282 2133 or info@internationalaffairs.org.au.

About the Speakers

Dr Tomohiko Taniguchi is Professor at Keio University Graduate School of System Design and Management (SDM). He is also Special Adviser to Prime Minister Shinzō Abe's Cabinet.

Between February 2013 and March 2014 he was Councillor at the Prime Minister's Office. Then, and now, his responsibilities have included writing foreign-policy speeches for PM Abe.

After spending 20 years with Nikkei Business, a weekly magazine, he joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2005 as Deputy Press Secretary and Deputy Director General for Public Diplomacy. Until he left the ministry three years later he addressed the English speaking press and wrote speeches for then Foreign Minister Tarō Asō and other leaders including then PM Shinzō Abe.

He has authored or co-authored more than 10 books on international affairs. His latest book, published 31 July 2018 entitled (English translation) "Truth be Told of Shinzō Abe" was his own account of Abe's prime ministership. He has appeared live more than 250 times on BBC, Al-Jazeera English, CNN, CNA, etc.

Sam Walsh is a Non-Executive Director of Mitsui & Co (Japan), and Chair of Gold Corporation (Australia), the Perth Mint, the Accenture Global Mining Council (UK), the Australian Council for the Arts, the Perth Diocesan Trust, and the Royal Flying Doctor Service (WA Ops). Sam was Rio Tinto plc & Ltd chief executive, from January 2013 to July 2016, when he retired after a 25-year career with the international mining group.

Sam started his career in the automotive industry, working for 20 years in senior leadership roles with General Motors and Nissan Australia. He has been awarded Graduate of Distinction, Life Time Achievement Award University of Melbourne, Honorary Fellowship Melbourne Business School, AusIMM Institute Medal and is a former Visiting Fellow at Oxford University.

Fiona Simson is the President of the National Farmers’ Federation and is the first woman to hold the post. A mixed farmer and grazier with tertiary qualifications in business and education, Fiona’s passion for local food production and the growth and sustainability of rural and regional Australia has led to her current career in agricultural advocacy and as a non-Executive Director. She also sits on the Board of the NRMA (NSW), the Australian Made Campaign Ltd, AgStewardship Australia, the Australian Farmers Fighting Fund and SproutX.

Pofessor Mark Beeson is Professor of International Politics at the University of Western Australia. Before joining UWA, he taught at Murdoch, Griffith, Queensland, York (UK) and Birmingham, where he was also head of department. His work is centred on the politics, economics and security of the broadly conceived Asia-Pacific region. Mark is a commissioning editor of the AIIA’s online publication, Australian Outlook, and is the founding editor of Critical Studies of the Asia Pacific.