The forthcoming visit to Australia by Japan's Minister for International Trade and Industry, Mr Sato, to commemorate the Commerce Treaty's anniversary, promises to be another highlight in the bilateral relationship this year. The Australia-Japan relationship is thus set to blossom even further as both countries look to the many new challenges and opportunities for the next millennium. Conclusion Today the Australia-Japan relationship stands, in many ways, as an exemplar of the kind of partnership we would like to foster in all our important country to country links across the region and beyond. It is a relationship characterised by long standing trade and investment ties, a remarkable range of government to government contacts, close cooperation on many regional and global issues, and extensive people to people links and cultural exchanges such as those encouraged by the societies gathered here this morning. This conference is an important contribution to making that relationship grow even further.
Japan is to be a great power in a community of great powers.
Australia is taking its part in easing the entry of Japan once more in to the community of Nations. Sir Robert's words reflected the spirit of genuine mutual understanding and cooperation that has been the hallmark of the Australia-Japan partnership for over 40 years. I want to assure you that the Australian Government remains strongly committed to this vital partnership, and to the exciting future we share in the Asia Pacific region and beyond. I wish you all well in your deliberations and declare the conference open.