Queensland-Japan Trade and Investment Strategy 2025

This strategy is a focused guide to strengthen Queensland’s engagement with Japan. 

It outlines clear priorities and focus areas across trade, investment, international education, innovation and sustainability. 

The strategy has been developed through extensive consultation, including roundtables with Japanese investors, Queensland exporters, and industry stakeholders.

These engagements ensure the strategy is targeted, relevant, and responsive to the evolving needs of both markets.

Key trade agreements with Japan

Queensland’s trade relationship with Japan is supported by four major regional agreements that strengthen trade, investment, and collaboration across key sectors.

• Japan–Australia Economic Partnership Agreement (JAEPA) – In place since 2015, JAEPA offers strong preferential access for Queensland exporters and has one of the highest utilisation rates of any Australian FTA.
• Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) – The world’s largest trade agreement, RCEP simplifies trade and investment with 15 Indo-Pacific countries, including Japan.
• Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) – This high-standard trade pact connects Australia, Japan and others across the Asia-Pacific, supporting open markets and regional integration.
• Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) – A strategic partnership between Australia, Japan, India and the US, the Quad supports cooperation on supply chains, technology, clean energy and regional resilience.

In an increasingly fragmented world, Japan offers a stabilising and influential force in the Indo-Pacific.

Queensland and Japan's shared path to prosperity

As the world’s fifth-largest economy, with a GDP of approximately USD $4.2 trillion, Japan remains a critical opportunity for Queensland’s economic prosperity, particularly for the one in five Queensland jobs supported by exports, and the one in eight supported by FDI.

Queensland’s strengths in mining, energy, agribusiness and innovation align with Japan’s goals in decarbonisation, energy security, food security and investment. 

Growth in consumer spending (with real consumption activity trending up) and wages, together with stock market highs not seen since the 1980s, suggest that Japan may be turning the corner on decades of structural challenges.

Queensland's Alpha HPA produces ultra-high purity alumina for export to key markets, including Japan.

Queensland beef exports are worth $1.4 billion.

Queensland-Japan trade: Built on agriculture and resources

Resources and agriculture continue to be the cornerstones of our economic relationship.

As at March 2025, Japan was Queensland’s fourth-largest agricultural export market, valued at $1.7 billion, with beef exports alone accounting for $1.4 billion. 

Queensland’s reputation as a safe, reliable, and premium supplier is highly regarded in Japan.

Japan has been a major customer of Queensland’s coal for more than 50 years and as at March 2025, coal exports were valued at $10.8 billion. 

Japanese companies are some of the most significant foreign investors in Queensland, particularly in coal, LNG, critical minerals, and renewable energy.

Strong ties through education

Queensland is a popular Australian destination for Japanese students, with 34 per cent of Japanese school students in Australia choosing to study here. 

Queensland will continue to grow international education linkages and promote shared interests in advanced research and innovation, building a knowledge partnership that benefits both regions. 

Queensland’s education system supports Japan’s ‘global jinzai’ vision by offering high-quality academic and career pathways that foster language proficiency, critical thinking, independence, and global awareness. 

Renowned for its student experience, Queensland maintains a strong international reputation.

Japan promotes academic and corporate partnerships to expand its global research and development (R&D) reach.