皆さま、こんばんは。
オーストラリア大使のジャスティン・ヘイハーストと申します。
I acknowledge Osaka Mayor Yokoyama Hideyuki, Kishiwada Mayor Nagano Kohei, and Ashiya Mayor Takashima Ryosuke.
Friends and colleagues, thank you for joining us to celebrate the groundbreaking of Australia’s Expo pavilion.
From April next year, the world will unite here in Osaka and Kansai to shape a brighter future.
To share ideas and dreams, and creative solutions for critical global challenges.
We are honoured – and excited - that Australia will support those objectives through our pavilion and our program of activities during the Expo.
The relationship between Australia and Japan, and Australia and Kansai, has never been closer.
Put simply, when Japan succeeds, Australia succeeds.
When Japan is strong, Australia is strong.
And we know there’s a better chance of succeeding in most of the challenges we face when we work with Japan.
The Osaka-Kansai Expo 2025 will strengthen our relationship with Japan, underpinned by shared interests, complementary economies and a close affinity between our peoples.
The Australia-Japan relationship is built on three key pillars.
First, strategic coordination – jointly shaping, building and connecting with the region to support peace and stability.
Second, our vital trade, investment, and net zero partnership.
Australia takes its position as Japan’s largest energy provider very seriously, and we will use the Expo platform here in Kansai to accelerate our clean energy future together.
We know for Japan energy security is national security.
And third, the connection between our peoples and societies. And this connection is strong here in Kansai.
Australia enjoys over 100 sister city relationships with Japan – including 25 in the Kansai region.
Hundreds of thousands of Australian travellers are visiting Osaka and other parts of Kansai every year, and the new Jetstar direct flights between KIX and Brisbane – which started last month, and between KIX and Sydney – which start next month – will allow even more visits in both directions.
Australia also welcomes thousands of Japanese students at Australian schools and universities every year – building strong future ties.
Friends, thank you for joining us; we look forward to making the 2025 Expo a great success.
Just to speak briefly from the heart, and to warn my translator that I am not reading my speech anymore, I want to thank you once again for being here tonight.
It means a lot to the team: The Australian Expo team, the Consulate General team and the Embassy team.
Australia really is committed to Japan, we’re really committed to Kansai, and we’re really committed to partnering with you to make this Expo a great success.
We're honoured to be your partners in this endeavour and together I think we`re going to make 2025 a very special year.
I’m looking forward to tens-and-thousands of Australians coming to visit, and we’re looking forward to welcoming the people of Kansai and the people of Japan to our pavilion.
We’re very honoured to participate.
Thank you very much.