WER: Australia

14 The Japan Times Saturday, January 26, 2013 Special Economic Reports 第３種郵便物認可 www.worldeyereports.com Australia

ising for Japan and the Osaka Gas group.” The university as a glue Osaka Gas establishes long-term OGA investments include shares in the Sunrise and Evans Shoal fields in the Bonaparte Ba- sin (10 percent each), the Gorgon between two cultures investments in LNG-rich Australia project in the Barrow Sub-Basin (1.25 percent), the Ichthys project apan is one of the most im- lationship with Japan. apan’s demand for LNG con- geoning demand. invested heavily into the “Lucky in the Browse Basin (1.2 percent), portant countries for Monash “We have a number of key col- tinues to grow, just as the fu- Australia’s oil and gas sector, Country’s” oil and gas industry as and the Crux field in the East ‘J University,” says Profes- laborations with Japanese universi- Jture of nuclear energy in the in particular, is a focus, given demand for liquefied natural gas Browse Basin (3 percent). Outside sor Edward Byrne, the university’s ties, and have very strong student country is unclear. A resource-rich the country’s vast reserves and (LNG) in Japan increases. Australia, OGA also has a 3 per- vice chancellor and president. “We recruitment and exchange programs country such as Australia is a key highly skilled workforce. Japa- “Because of Fukushima, in- cent hold in the Qalhat LNG proj- arguably have Australia’s major in Japan,” he explains. “We also part of the solution to Japan’s bur- nese energy giants have already vesting in upstream gas is be- ect operating in Oman. academic centers for Japanese stud- share research interest in a number ginning to carry a new strategic “In order to advance our proj- ies at Monash. These departments of areas: not just in culture, but in significance,” comments Shigeki ects more efficiently and econom- OSAKA GAS concentrate not only on Japanese science as well.” Hirano, chairman of Osaka Gas ically toward commercialization, Shigeki Hirano, chairman of language, but also on Japanese cul- Monash currently has about 800 Australia (OGA), the Australian OGA — despite its relatively lim- Osaka Gas Australia ture.” Japanese students studying in its investment arm of Osaka Gas ited shares in its projects — aims Monash University, first estab- campuses. Byrne would like to in- (the Japanese mother company is to function as a ‘glue,’ or facilita- tional backgrounds. Hirano points lished in Melbourne in 1958, is crease this number further during a giant gas distributor in Japan’s tor, within the joint ventures while out that such range creates a cross- Australia’s largest university. To- his term as vice chancellor, and domestic market). “Demand for a maintaining close-knit communi- cultural atmosphere in which em- day, it has over 75,000 students in sends an open invitation to both stable and competitive LNG sup- cations with other partners, wheth- ployees quite naturally collaborate its campuses around the world, with Japanese undergraduates and post- ply continues to grow in Japan. er they are Australian exploration and support each other under the six campuses in Australia and five graduates to come to Monash. “Australia is an ideal place from and production companies or the slogan “Team OGA.” It is a part other centers in Malaysia, South Af- “We’d love to have more Japa- MONASH UNIVERSITY which to supply Japan’s demand,” international oil and gas majors,” of OGA’s efforts to be a strong rica, Italy, India and China. nese undergraduate students,” he Prof. Edward Byrne, vice he adds. “OGA already has diver- says Hirano. and sound corporate citizen in the

“Monash is the ‘Western’ uni- says. “We’re also very interested in chancellor and president of OSAKA GAS sified investments in five major OGA’s diverse staff is a reflec- Australian energy industry. ® versity which is most engaged in Japanese students who are looking Monash Osaka Gas’ Gorgon project projects that are extremely prom- tion of its Japanese and interna- www.osakagas.co.jp Asia,” Byrne explains. “We have to do their second degree in Austra- students from 150 countries in our lia. I believe Monash can provide the bonding between the two coun- Australian campuses and strong bi- them with a brilliant and outstand- tries. lateral relationships with many of ing educational and cultural experi- “The importance of Japan to Aus- the key nations in Asia, including ence.” tralia can never be overstated,” he Moving beyond cars, Denso adapts to a changing world Japan.” A member of the executive com- says. “But Japan should also look Positioning the university at the mittee of the Australian Japanese more closely at Australia. Australia 012 marked Denso Aus- “The strong Australian cur- a foothold in non-automotive forefront of Australia’s academic Co-operation Committee (AJBCC), as a country is vital — it’s growing tralia’s 40th year success- rency is strongly affecting local markets such as mining and tele- relationship with Asia in this new Byrne continues to help build Ja- at a terrific pace. The best years are fully servicing the Australian OEM’s ability to export, while communications infrastructure,” ® 2 “Asian Century,” Byrne is particu- pan’s key role in Australia’s future still ahead of us.” market, a symbol of the global imported vehicles are becoming Jopson continues. “We are always larly proud of its long-standing re- — as well as his university’s role in www.monash.edu.au company’s continuous drive for relatively cheaper,” says Russell looking to innovate and expand excellence internationally. Fur- Jopson, president of Denso Auto- the Denso business.” thermore, with a new CEO at the motive Systems Australia. “Cur- Such non-automotive business helm as well as a spanking new rently, of the 1 million vehicles sectors as caravan air-condition- service training center, the anni- sold in Australia, 14 percent are ing, data capture and scanning versary struck a strongly positive locally produced. If we include systems, as well as new initiatives Investing in a ‘rare’ opportunity note for exports into under local joint development the de- this equa- could be a foretaste of Denso’s di- ronically, ‘rare earth’ metals cades to tion, then versification beyond its traditional are not as rare as their name come. our total automotive base. I suggests. Metals from this B a s e d production Jopson is optimistic, especially category are relatively plentiful in Croy- ratio to to- with solid backing from its mother on Earth, though they are often don in the state of Victoria, Denso tal sales would be 22 percent — company in Japan. “We receive difficult to both recover from Australia is well aware of fore- that’s still a very low number by DENSO strong support from Denso on ore deposits and transform into cast toughening conditions in the world standards.” Denso Automotive Systems Australia President Russell Jopson and an international level and this useful products. Australian OEM industry. Thus, Jopson uses these numbers to Denso Corp. President Nobuaki Katoh greatly increases our capabilities They are used in a wide range adapting to this type of market make his point: that they only to supply and service the Austra- of modern applications in indus- will be one of the main goals for make more apparent the com- explains. we have enhanced our capability lian market,” Jopson continues. tries such as energy efficiency the company — especially as its pany’s need to diversify. “The “We have been heavily focused to develop new and innovative “Because of this competitive ad- products, emissions minimiza- main business is closely linked declining volume in Australia has on diversifying our business by products despite negative market vantage, we are confident that our tion and consumer electronics. to the country’s three main OEM been a concern, so we are realign- also building our traditional after- conditions.” brand will continue to grow for The use and consumption of manufacturers: Toyota, Ford and ing our business model to tackle market and non-automotive port- “We constantly ask ourselves next 40 years in Australia.” ® these valuable elements is fore- General Motors. the issues in local production,” he folios. Plus, with our R&D center, how the Denso brand can gain www.denso.com.au cast to grow exponentially in

light of today’s booming global ALKANE RESOURCES demand for high-tech applica- Ian Chalmers, managing director of Alkane Resources “For example, for our naturally tions in devices such as smart- brewed soy sauce: its fine aroma phones and energy-efficient to an advanced stage and enable a major accomplishment for us Straight to the heart of Australian palates is composed of roughly 300 dif- lighting. production of a suite of zirco- which will enable the produc- ferent components that derive Demand is even greater in nium, niobium, and light and tion of the full suite of separat- hen I lived in Sydney contributed greatly to the relation- from the fermentation process Japan, currently one of the heavy rare earth products,” he ed rare earths.” about 20 years ago ship between Australia and Japan.” of the brew,” he continues. “We world’s largest consumers of explains. “By the end of 2013 With the help of Japanese ‘W as a representative Kikkoman, recognized in Aus- take greater care and time when it rare earth metals. The country’s we’re expecting to have all ap- connections such as this, Aus- of Kikkoman Corp., there were tralia as the iconic maker of Japa- comes to the fermentation process thirst for the resource has made provals set for development of a tralian companies like Alkane not many Japanese restaurants in nese soy sauce and teriyaki mari- and use only the highest-quality it turn to Australian companies project which could have a life are looking forward to supply- the entire city,” recalls Shunichi nades, has grown dramatically in soy beans and wheat. These are such as Alkane Resources. in excess of 100 years. By 2015, ing the Asian giant’s demand Yoshi oka, managing director of the country since first setting up the keys to perfecting the unique “There are many deposits we’ll be able to commence com- for these specialty metals. Kikkoman Australia. “At that time its Australian representative office flavor and aroma of our sauce in around the world,” explains Ian mercial production of the rare “We see that Japanese com- there were much fewer Asian peo- in 1980. an exclusive production proce- Chalmers, managing director earths and rare metals. From the panies are eager to find alterna- ple — including Japanese — than “One popular trend today is Jap- dure we have used for over 300 of the Australia-based mining start, that’s 15 years in total.” tive sources of strategic metals are now here. It was a very differ- anese and Asian-inspired cuisine years.” company. “The complication Aside from its proven strat- like the heavy rare earths and ent setting compared to today.” cooked with fine local ingredients,” Yoshioka is confident that Aus- lies in getting the minerals out egy, Alkane has another advan- zirconium, especially with the After 2000 the new trends of Yoshioka explains. “We see this as tralia’s fondness for Japanese cui- of the ground and processing tage: “We’re very pleased with current uncertainty in world globalization and multicultural- a great opportunity for Kikkoman sine is not a passing fad. As the them into a form that’s market- our long-term Japanese part- supply,” Chalmers says. “In ism pushed Australia to be more because our flavors complement popularity of Kikkoman products able and usable for the end con- ners,” Chalmers says. “We had the future, we’re confident that open to its Asian neighbors. Japa- WER almost every type of Western cui- in Australia continues to grow, sumer.” discussions with many com- Australian companies such as nese food became a powerful new Shunichi Yoshioka, managing director of Kikkoman Australia sine as well as Asian cooking. We these subtle ambassadors for Japa- “For example, we’ve been panies in the past, but just last ours will become key allies for ambassador for the country: going of the grace and simplicity of the says Yoshioka. “People here are take the complexity of our flavors nese values will keep connecting developing our Dubbo Zirconia July, we were able to solidify Japanese players in these par- straight to Australian palates. Jap- archetypal Japanese lifestyle. more willing to learn more about such as umami very seriously and I with Australian stomachs…and Project in New South Wales for a memorandum of understand- ticular sectors.” ® anese cuisine in Australia came to “Today, there is a great sense Japanese culture especially when it believe that this is what separates hearts. ® about 12 years already to get it ing with Shin-Etsu Chemical – www.alkane.com.au symbolize a direct representation of multiculturalism in Australia,” comes to Japanese food. This has us from Kikkoman’s competitors. www.kikkoman.com.au

Australia is alive with Yamaha’s sound Entering the ‘Asian Century’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12

of music environmentally friendly prod- of the Gold Coast and Cairns.” ucts and practices, Panasonic In July of last year, Nicholls also sponsors a permanent chair went as part of an overseas dele- amaha Corp., the world’s for environmental sustainability gation from Australia to visit the largest producer of mu- at Sydney’s Macquarie Univer- country’s key trading partners — Ysical instruments and a sity. among them, Japan. range of other products, began “We hope that we can de- celebrating its 125th anniversary velop a culture of sustainability Australia responds to Japan in October last year. Its subsidiary, through our partnership with the Resources are increasingly a key Yamaha Music Australia, was university,” he says. “We can dis- aspect of Japanese imports from established in Melbourne — the cover innovative ways in which Australia. Liquefied natural gas country’s live music capital — in we can help preserve our envi- (LNG) and rare earth minerals 1986. ronment.” from rich Australian supplies are With 30 years of experience at important products for Japan as MANILDRA Yamaha, the company’s managing Long-standing relationship demand grows. The resource- Manildra’s factory in Norwa, New South Wales, Australia director, Yasuhiro Nihashi, has led Interestingly, the first Japanese rich state of Western Australia, it in Australia since last April. Consulate in Australia was not in turn, finds itself becoming a this by hiring a native Japanese “Yamaha Music Australia’s top established in Sydney or Mel- stronger partner for the mineral- speaker to head our Japan de- priority is music appreciation,” bourne. Instead, it was founded poor Asian economic giant. Feeding a Yen partment.” says Nihashi. “We provide ser- in Townsville in the northern “Japan has played a key role in While its primary business vices and products that suit a wide state of Queensland, meant to the development of Western Aus- t is ironic that Japan, known of a single flour mill, Manildra derives from wheat and agri- range of consumers. We support MUSIC YAMAHA serve Japanese workers in the tralia’s resources and its current for its refined and unique has grown steadily through the culture food products, Manildra the music community by spon- Yasuhiro Nihashi, Yamaha Music Australia’s managing director pearl shell industry in the Torres prosperity,” comments the Hon. Icuisine, imports around 60 decades and is now Australia’s also works in renewables in the soring local events and we create Straits. The Japanese presence in Colin Barnett, the state’s premier. percent of its food today. Among largest consumer of industrial form of ethanol fuel. The com- a market by providing musical plier of musical instruments to the sic appreciation also includes lis- Australia has evolved and grown “From 2011 to 2012, total trade developed countries, it ranks wheat. pany has garnered international education in our schools. In sum, national school system. In fact, for tening to it – and Yamaha’s audio since those humble beginnings. between Western Australia and among the world’s lowest in “We have been working in the recognition in this field, notably we deliver top-quality instruments many first-time learners in Austra- products are just as well-regarded “Japan has been our most im- Japan was valued at more than its rate of food self-sufficiency Japanese market for around 30 the World’s First Certification and audio equipment.” lia, the Yamaha brand is their first as its instruments. Yamaha was portant trading partner for many $26 billion. In 2011, Japan was — alongside such resource- years,” says the group’s general for Biofuels Sustainability. Yamaha Music Australia is a introduction to playing music. recognized at the 2012 Sound+ years,” says Queensland’s trea- Western Australia’s largest LNG poor nations as Switzerland and manager, Peter Simpson, “and “It was tremendous to receive major arts advocate in the country. The first Yamaha music school Image Awards in Sydney for the surer, the Hon. Tim Nicholls. buyer and its largest market for South Korea. we are very optimistic about our such a prestigious award,” Simp- This year, it will be sponsoring the was founded in Melbourne in design and manufacturing of its “The development of petroleum exports, with a 44 per- Accordingly, Australia is the growth in 2013.” sons admits, “to be acknowl- Melbourne Prize for Music that 1970. Yamaha offers music cours- PDX-11 speaker dock and AVENT- Queensland and all of Australia cent share worth $9.4 billion.” ideal partner for Japan’s food Manildra is the largest sup- edged from outside of our com- provides musicians of all genres es in group settings or private AGE™ RX-A3020 AV receiver. through the 1960s was driven As commerce between the two needs. The southern continent is plier of wheat starch and wheat pany. It validates all our work in Victoria state a chance to show- lessons for students ranging from Nihashi says: “Our products are by Japanese investment from partner countries shows no sign one of the world’s top producers gluten to the Japanese market. and aims for sustainability.” case their talents. It is also con- children as young as 3 years to always up-to-date and reflect what companies such as Mitsui and of abating, Australia’s increas- of food. The company also provides As Japan continues to work tinuing its patronage of the world- adults. Today, Yamaha Music’s the clients want. We need to ap- Mitsubishi,” he explains. “Then, ingly focused gaze at Asia — and Australia’s Manildra Group grain and carbohydrate products with Australia to sate its domes- renowned Sydney Opera House. network is ever expanding across proach our customers and dealers throughout the 1970s and 1980s, particularly Japan — is marked aims to take advantage of the to Japan. tic markets, Manildra carries on The company’s iconic interna- Australia as they continue their with the best quality sound image it was Japanese interest and in- by ever-stronger business ties imbalance as Japan increasingly “It has been a blessing work- its mission to remain one of Ja- tional presence is fundamentally mission to bring out everyone’s the industry has to offer – whether novation that drove tourism into between Japanese and Australian looks abroad for its diet needs. ing with the Japanese,” Simpson pan’s premier partners for basic based on its world-class instru- potential and express themselves it is from our instruments or from Queensland. In fact, Japanese companies. In the “Asian Cen- Established more than 60 years says. “Our big turning point was food requirements. ® ments and audio equipment. In through music. our audio equipment.” ® investment effectively built large tury” it’s a partnership built to ago in 1952 with the purchase when we committed ourselves to www.manildra.com.au Australia, Yamaha is the top sup- As well as creating music, mu- http://au.yamaha.com/ parts of our premier destinations last. ®

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