Japan Symposium 2025
On 24 March 2025, the Perth USAsia Centre, in partnership with the Australia Japan Business Co-operation Committee (AJBCC), hosted its 8th annual Japan Symposium. This year’s theme, Towards an Australia-Japan Partnership in Advanced Manufacturing, highlighted Australia and Japan’s shared, values-based commitment to the Indo-Pacific’s stability, sustainability, and economic prosperity.
As global geopolitical dynamics evolve, the need for innovation and resilience in defence capabilities and supply chain infrastructure has never been more critical. Leveraging Western Australia’s abundant resources and Japan’s technological prowess, there is great opportunity for bilateral collaboration in advanced manufacturing.
To help facilitate future collaboration, the Perth USAsia Centre hosted a multidisciplinary, expert-led dialogue. Participants from both sides of the bilateral relationship raised major concerns and discussed practical opportunities for collaboration in advanced manufacturing.
The discussion was continued at the Symposium’s dinner reception, hosted together with the Australia Japan Business Co-operation Committee (AJBCC), and supported by Mitsubishi Australia Ltd., and Woodside Energy.
Attended by leaders from Western Australia’s government, business and education sectors, the event focused on the future of Australia-Japan collaboration in advanced manufacturing, and featured an opening address from the Honourable Roger Cook, Premier of Western Australia, and a keynote presentation from the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Australia, His Excellency Kazuhiro Suzuki.
Professor Gordon Flake moderated a panel discussion with Ambassador Suzuki; Australia Country Executive of the Asia Group, Rebecca Shrimpton; Former Ambassador of Australia to Japan, the Honourable Richard Court; and Professor of International Relations at Waseda University, Professor Chikako Ueki.
In an uncertain world order, Australia and Japan’s complementary capabilities and strong, enduring relationship provide a unique opportunity for mutually beneficial, innovative collaboration. Through this partnership, the two countries can help further their respective industries, strengthen supply chains, and help bring stability to the Indo-Pacific region.
The Perth USAsia Centre and Australia Japan Business Co-operation Committee (AJBCC), together with Mitsubishi Australia Ltd. and Woodside Energy present the 2025 Japan Symposium.
The 8th annual Symposium
The Japan Symposium is an event that brings together leading experts for a public discussion on issues and opportunities facing Japan and Australia, and we are pleased to host the event for another year.
Welcome and panel facilitator
Professor Gordon Flake
Chief Executive Officer, Perth USAsia Centre
Gordon Flake has spent twenty-five years in the US foreign policy community focused on the Korean Peninsula and Northeast Asia and now ten years in Australia’s Indian Ocean capital and is considered an expert on key strategic relationships in the broader Indo-Pacific. He has authored many scholarly and policy studies on security developments in the region, and their policy implications for the US and its regional partners. He is a Governor of the American Chamber of Commerce in Australia (AmCham) and serves on the board of the United States Studies Centre at the University of Sydney. Prior to joining the Centre, he was the Executive Director of the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Foundation, an Associate Director of the Program on Conflict Resolution at The Atlantic Council of the United States, and Director for Research and Academic Affairs at the Korea Economic Institute of America.
Welcome address
Richard Andrews
Chief Executive Officer, Australia Japan Business Co-operation Committee
Richard Andrews was appointed CEO of the Australia Japan Business Co-operation Committee in March 2021 following a career of more than thirty years as an Australian diplomat. During that time, he served overseas in Kuala Lumpur, Tokyo (twice), London, and as Ambassador in Dublin (2016-2020). Richard was a Visiting Fellow at the Crawford School of Public Policy at the Australian National University from March 2020 to September 2021, focusing on the potential for building trade in renewable energy, notably low-carbon hydrogen, between Australia and the region. Richard has a long-standing interest in Japan and Australia-Japan relations, having first started learning Japanese at the age of 11. He was an exchange student in Kobe for a year in 1982 and majored in Japanese for his BA (Hons) at the University of Sydney. As Executive Director of DFAT’s Economic Analytical Unit in 2008, Richard directed and co-authored a major published report on the bilateral commercial relationship.
Opening address
The Honourable Roger Cook MLA
Premier of Western Australia, Minister for State and Industry Development, Jobs and Trade; Public Sector Management; Federal-State Relations
Hon Roger Cook MLA is the Premier of Western Australia. With oversight of the key portfolios of State and Industry Development, Jobs and Trade; Public Sector Management; and Federal-State Relations, Roger has been a member of the Legislative Assembly since 2008, representing the seat of Kwinana. Prior to entering politics Roger studied Arts and Public Administration at Murdoch University before completing a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Relations and a Master of Business Administration at Curtin University. He was active in campus politics and established the National Union of Students as its first National President. After completing his studies Roger worked for a number of Federal and State Members of Parliament including Jim McGinty, Stephen Smith and Senator Chris Evans in policy and electorate officer roles.
Keynote address
HE Ambassador Kazuhiro Suzuki
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Australia
Ambassador SUZUKI Kazuhiro was appointed as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Australia in March 2023. Before this, he served as Ambassador to the Republic of Turkey from October 2020 to April 2023.
Ambassador Suzuki started his career in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan in 1986. He has held various roles, including Principal Deputy Director in charge of the Korean Peninsula and Senior Coordinator in the Foreign Policy Bureau. His overseas postings include Political Counsellor at the Embassy of Japan in China (2004-2007), Director for Japan-U.S. Security Affairs, Director for Embassy and Consulate Management, and Director of Aid Policy and Management for the International Cooperation Bureau (2007-2013). He was also Ambassador to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative of Japan to the African Union (2013-2016), and Minister for Economic Affairs at the Embassy of Japan in Washington D.C. (2016-2018). From January 2018 to July 2020, he was Assistant Minister/Director-General of the North American Affairs Bureau. Ambassador Suzuki holds a Bachelor of International Relations from the University of Tokyo, a Masters in Political Science from Stanford University, and a Masters of International Affairs from Columbia University. As a keynote speaker at the 2025 Japan Symposium, Ambassador Suzuki will provide a compelling address to set the stage for the panel discussion. His deep understanding of economic cooperation, technological partnerships, and regional stability will offer valuable insights that will guide the discussions throughout the event. Ambassador Suzuki’s perspective will underscore the importance of collaboration between Australia and Japan, particularly in advanced manufacturing, clean energy, and defence industries, ensuring a productive and impactful symposium.
Video address
HE Ambassador Justin Hayhurst
Australian Ambassador to Japan
Ambassador Justin Hayhurst has been representing Australia in Japan since January 2023. With a distinguished career in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, he has held key positions such as Deputy Secretary of the Geostrategic Group and Australia’s Senior Quad Official. His extensive background includes serving as First Assistant Secretary International in the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, and Deputy Head of Mission in Beijing and the Philippines. As one of the keynote speakers at the 2025 Japan Symposium, Ambassador Hayhurst will bring a unique perspective as a currently serving ambassador. His active role in current diplomatic efforts, including enhancing economic cooperation, technological partnerships, and regional stability, will provide critical insights. His address is expected to set the tone for productive discussions, fostering stronger ties and collaborative opportunities between Australia and Japan in advanced manufacturing, clean energy, and defence industries.
Panel discussion
Rebecca Shrimpton
Australia Country Executive, The Asia Group
Rebecca “Bec” Shrimpton is the Australia Country Director at The Asia Group, based in Melbourne. She helps global and Australian companies develop business strategies and tackle market access challenges. Bec has extensive expertise in defence, foreign relations, trade, and investment, supporting clients across Australia and the Indo-Pacific. She is a recognised expert in national security, including terrorism, cyber, space policy, and advanced technologies. Before joining TAG, Bec was Director of Defence Strategy and National Security at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) and organised the inaugural Sydney Dialogue in 2023. With over 25 years of government experience, Bec has held senior positions at the Australian Department of Defence, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Austrade. She served as Counsellor for Defence Strategic Policy at the Australian Embassy in Washington, D.C., and as Senior Adviser for Major Powers to the Australian Foreign Minister. Bec is a Fellow of the Australian War College and holds a Master of Strategic Studies with Honours from the Australian National University and a Master of Strategic Studies from Deakin University.
Hon Richard Court AC
Former Ambassador of Australia to Japan
The Honourable Richard Court AC brings a wealth of experience in government, foreign affairs, and the private sector to the 2025 Japan Symposium. As a former Premier and Treasurer of Western Australia, Australia’s Ambassador to Japan, and a Director on the Perth USAsia Centre board, he is well-positioned to contribute to the symposium’s goals. This year’s symposium aims to deepen Australia-Japan cooperation in advanced manufacturing, with a focus on clean energy and defence industries. Richard Court’s participation is expected to drive discussions on economic cooperation, technological partnerships, and regional stability. His insights will be crucial in shaping policy recommendations and exploring collaborative opportunities, ultimately strengthening the bilateral relationship and advancing mutual interests in technology and innovation.
Professor Chikako Ueki
Professor of International Relations, Graduate School of Asia-Pacific Studies at Waseda University
Dr. Chikako Kawakatsu Ueki is Professor of International Relations at the Graduate School of Asia-Pacific Studies (GSAPS), Waseda University. Her areas of expertise include International Relations and Security in East Asia with a special focus on U.S.-Japan-China relations. She has written extensively on issues concerning threat perception in a unipolar world, transformation of international relations after the Cold War, and issues relating to security problems in the Indo-Pacific. At Waseda University, she leads a program on Security Studies at the Institute for Asia-Pacific Studies (WIASP). Her publications include: War Studies for Peace (2015); The “Long Peace” in Northeast Asia: War Avoided (2012); and The U.S.-Japan Security Alliance: Regional Multilateralism (2011). Prior to joining GSAPS, Dr. Ueki was Senior Research Fellow at the National Institute for Defense Studies, Japan Ministry of Defense; Visiting Scholar at Peking University; and Staff Writer for Asahi Shimbun. She served as a member of the Prime Minister’s Council on Security and Defense Capabilities (2009), and sits on the Committee on International Space Station and International Space Exploration (2023-). She holds a Ph.D. in Political Science from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and M.A. in International Relations and B.A. in French Studies from Sophia University.
At the 2025 Japan Symposium, Dr. Ueki’s deep understanding of regional security and international relations will be invaluable. Her insights will enhance discussions on technological partnerships and regional stability. Dr. Ueki’s contributions will help shape policy recommendations and foster collaborative opportunities between Australia and Japan, advancing mutual interests in technology and innovation.
Related resources
Japan’s semiconductor push and strategic opportunities for Australia
In this Indo-Pacific Analysis Brief, Visiting Fellow Aaron Magunna explores Japan’s ambitious plans to revitalise its domestic semiconductor manufacturing industry and the opportunities this move presents for Australia’s critical minerals sector.
Indo-Pacific explainer: Advanced manufacturing
Innovations in manufacturing increase efficiency and reduce production costs and advanced manufacturing is critical for economic growth, national security, and sustainability.
The Symposium Dinner proudly supported by
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