F 7 7
14 January 1976
FOR PRESS ECONOMIC RELATIONS WITH JAPAN AND THE VISIT OF THE
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER
The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for National Resources
and Overseas Trade, Mr Anthony, will visit Japan from February
: 4 to Febrdary 14.
He will be accompanied by the Secretary of the Department of
Overseas ' Trade, Mr D. H. McKay, and the Secretary of
the Department of National Resources, Mr J. Scully.
Because of -the particular importance to Australia-of the export
of . pimar industry products such as beef, a seni6r officer of
" the Deparent of Primary Industry will also accompany the
Deputy Prime Minister.
While in Japan Mr Anthony will hold talks with Japanese Ministers,
officials and business interests on matters relating to Australia's
minerals and energy resources and overseas trade.
In making this announcement I would ike to rf. fir-thac for
Australia, Japan is one of the most important countries in the world.
The consolidation and strengthening of a relationship between our
two countries in the political as well as in the economic field
is a task to which I attach high priority.
Australia's interests in relations with Japan rest on two
considerations. The first is Japan's position as Australia's main
trading partner. It is our biggest export market and it provides
more of our imports than any other country except the United States.
2.
Australia ranks high as a trading partner for Japan. Japanese
imports from Australia consist largely of mineral resources
and agricultural products, while Japan supplies us with a
wide variety of. manufactured godds.
In addition to the bilateral factor' Japan is a key country
in world affairs, especially in the Asian/ Pacific region, and
both it and the international community as a whole and countries
of the region attach considerable weight to their relations with
Japan.
Australia': s exports to Japan of minerals, liquid gas, coal
' i
and, eventually, uranium are of critical importance to both
countries. i Australia has no other markets of such size and with
such potential for growth. Japan has no other supplier with
such a wealth of resources and the potential for security of
supply. All the factors are present for the development of an
economic relationship based on mutual dependence which should
confer enormous benefits on both countries.
Our twish i indeed a prime--objective paonu r groewc onoWme ica cponlwiceiegs
is st' 6 seeifuch benefits materialise and grow. We acknowledge
that in recent years there has been an erosion of Japanese
confidence in. Australia as a long-term source, of supply, even
though ' contracts have always b5een honoured by Australia. We will
work to see that confidence restored. We have no doubt that
it can be, and in full harmony with the stated minerals and
energy policies of the government.
a s exports o c L-ural m17oT ai too ar-or
critical importance to both countries. There is every reason to
expect that in the long-term Australian exports of wool, grains,
dairy products, sugar, meat and fruits will grow. However,
this trade policy has faced some problems and the confidence of
Australian exporters has been affected by Japanese import policies.
Japanese import policies have brought particular problems for
exporters of beef and dairy products. We will also work to see
confidence restored in these areas. / 3
3.
Australian imports from Japan are being affected by the
temporary restraints Australia has placed on certain of its
imports.-The Japanese Government.-has formally expressed its
concern." These measures are consistent with Australia's
international obligations and will be relaxed and removed as
soon as conditions permit.
On balance, therefore, I am confident that, although there are
difficulties in the international climate, relations between
Australia, and Japan can be further strengthened to the
. advantage, of both our countries and -the region and the
* international community. 0000UOoooooo000000
I S