Festival celebrates Japan's relationship with WA

• Inaugural Japan Festival highlights close cultural and economic ties between WA and Japan 

Western Australia's relationship with Japan has been recognised and celebrated with the official launch of the Japan Festival today.

Premier and State Development Minister Colin Barnett last night addressed 290 attendees at a gala dinner to mark the start of the festival, the initiative of a number of Perth's Japanese organisations to promote Japanese culture and friendship.  Japanese Consul General in Perth Koichi Funayama also attended the dinner.

"Western Australia and Japan have a long-standing and mutually beneficial relationship that is rooted in our strong trade ties and shared history," Mr Barnett said.

"From the Japanese pearlers that plied the waters of Roebuck Bay, to the Japanese investment as a foundation customer in the State's iron ore and liquefied natural gas sectors, our relationship has been built on a cultural and economic exchange over many decades."

Citizenship and Multicultural Interests Minister Mike Nahan today represented the Premier at the official launch of the Japan Festival, held in the Hyogo Friendship Garden near State Parliament. The garden commemorates the 30th anniversary of Western Australia's Sister State Relationship with Japan's Hyogo Prefecture, and was given to the State in 2011.

"The Japan Festival is a wonderful example of the Japanese community in Perth working together with other West Australians and local businesses to promote Japanese culture and a greater awareness of the long-standing relationship between Japan and Western Australia," Dr Nahan said.

"There is a vibrant Japanese community living in Western Australia with more than 3,500 Japanese-born residents living in the State."

Other events on the festival calendar include an agriculture seminar and a free community festival on Saturday, February 22 at Forrest Place, displaying Japanese food, craft, martial arts, pop culture, fashion, music and dance.

This is the first time the Japan Festival has been held in Perth and event organisers hope it will become an annual event.

       Fact File

• Japan is Western Australia's second largest trading partner, with total trade valued at nearly $25billion in 2012-13

• The WA Government operates two trade and investment offices in Japan; in Tokyo (established in 1968) and in Kobe (established in 1989)

• There are also nine Sister City relationships between WA and Japanese cities and local government bodies. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Perth-Kagoshima-shi Sister City relationship, and the 30th anniversary of the Belmont-Adachi-ku Sister City relationship

• The Japan Festival Association is a non-profit organisation established in 2013 by the Consulate General of Japan in Perth, the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry Perth, and representatives from the business community

Premier's office - 6552 5000

Citizenship and Multicultural Interests Minister's office - 6552 5700