Japan has long been our largest export destination. Japan is also a major supplier of motor vehicles and parts as well as computers and telecommunications equipment for Australia.
Japan continues to be key source of foreign investment.
Japan s importance to Australia as an economic partner is unlikely to change in the foreseeable future. Australia's largest export market Japan has been Australia's largest export market since 1969. Australian Bureau of Statistics Australia s merchandise exports to Japan account for around 20 per cent of our total merchandise exports. Trade is heavily concentrated on five products coal, liquified natural gas, iron ore, beef and aluminium which account for more than 50 per cent of merchandise exports. Australian technology exports have also been successful in niche markets such as software development.