About this regional hub
The North East Asia offices in Japan and South Korea help WA companies to access trade and investment opportunities in this region. We speak a range of languages including English, Japanese and Korean.
For information about trade, investment and export with Western Australia get in touch with us via our online enquiry form.
Our Commissioner for North East Asia
Michael Sharp
Investment and Trade Commissioner for North East Asia
Michael is the Investment and Trade Commissioner for North East Asia and works as part of Invest and Trade Western Australia.
As Investment and Trade Commissioner, Michael and his team based in Japan and South Korea work to attract investment and grow trade opportunities for Western Australian businesses in North East Asia.
Michael has a strong background in governance, strategic policy and stakeholder engagement and has led a range of complex projects at the Western Australian Department of Education to support government priorities. He is passionate about education exchange and supporting business opportunities in Western Australia from the North East Asia region.
Michael has previously lived in Japan, speaks fluent Japanese and has a strong understanding of Japanese and South Korean cultures.
Michael has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Japanese and a Diploma of Education from The University of Western Australia.
Email: Michael.Sharp@djtsi.wa.gov.au
Mobile: +61 428 372 747
Our Locations in the Region
Kobe, Japan
Representative Phone: +81 80 3832 2825
Tokyo, Japan
5th Floor, Akasaka Intercity 1-11-44, Akasaka, Minato-ku Tokyo, 107-0052, Japan Phone: +813-5157-8281
Seoul, South Korea
Unit 702 Gwanghwamun Building 149 Sejong-daero, Jongno-gu Seoul, 03186, Korea Phone: +82 2 722 1217
Western Australia trade mission to Japan
Premier Roger Cook and Deputy Premier Rita Saffioti have led a trade mission to Japan with the aim of boosting tourism, trade and local Western Australian jobs.
The mission marks Premier Cook’s first official visit to Japan since taking office in June 2023.
The mission also marks the resumption of direct flights between Perth and Tokyo, with Premier Cook and Deputy Premier Saffioti travelling to Japan on board the first direct Perth to Tokyo flight in more than 3 years.
From Sunday 29 October, the popular All Nippon Airways (ANA) route is set to run 3 times a week. It is anticipated the direct flight will help boost visitor numbers to Western Australia with Japan forming a key market in the State Government’s Walking on a Dream tourism campaign.
“Being able to come across on the resumption of the direct flight route run by ANA is a great way to travel between Tokyo and Perth,” said Deputy Premier Saffioti.
“[It is] a trip I am sure many more travellers will choose to take."
While in Japan, Premier Cook hosted a forum of Japanese businesses and investors to highlight Western Australia as a global energy powerhouse and investment destination of choice for emerging green industries, including battery and critical minerals and renewable hydrogen.
The Energy and Resources Forum was attended by representatives from BP Japan, CWP Global, JOGMEC, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Marubeni Corporation, Mitsui, Tokyo Gas and other leading industry players.
“Japan has played a pivotal role in helping to grow the industries that have driven Western Australia’s economic strength for the past 50 years,” said Premier Cook.
“That trading partnership will be more important than ever as we establish the industries to keep our economy strong in decades to come.
“WA has the critical minerals, renewable energy, and the skilled workforce to become a green energy superpower as the world moves to net zero.”
Helping to facilitate trade and investment between WA and Japan, the Western Australian Government’s representative office has marked its 55th anniversary in the country, today known as the Invest and Trade Western Australia Tokyo Office.
Established in 1968, the Tokyo Office is the oldest Australian State Government office in Japan, recently relocating with Tourism WA to the bustling commercial district of Akasaka.
The new office was officially opened by Premier Cook and Deputy Premier Saffioti, and stands ready to continue driving the strong trade relationship between Japan and Western Australia.
To find out more about trade and investment opportunities between Western Australia and Japan, contact the Invest and Trade WA team at investandtrade@jtsi.wa.gov.au.
Published on: 09 November 2023
Get in touch
If you are looking for opportunities in business, investment or trade, contact our experienced team at Invest and Trade WA.
Our in-house experts can support you directly and provide referrals or introductions across our network of overseas offices, industry bodies and government agencies.
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