Australia's Treasurer Heads to Japan for Inaugural Finance Ministerial Dialogue
Australia's Treasurer Jim Chalmers announced on 4 October 2026 that he would travel to Japan for the first Australia-Japan Finance Ministerial Dialogue with his Japanese counterpart, Satsuki Katayama. Reuters reported that the new annual forum aims to bolster bilateral ties, with an agenda covering investment opportunities, strategic financing and broader international economic engagement.
In a statement, Chalmers said he would seek to progress a deal to boost investment cooperation between the two countries. Japan was Australia's fourth-largest foreign investor in 2024, with total investment valued at A$282.9 billion. While in Japan, Chalmers was also scheduled to meet more than 30 chief executives and business leaders to promote Australia as a premier investment destination.
Chalmers noted that the two countries face many similar challenges from global uncertainty, including higher energy prices driving inflation and higher bond yields putting pressure on government budgets. The trip is part of Australia's effort to deepen economic coordination with major Indo-Pacific partners.
Australia and Japan have steadily expanded cooperation in defence, critical minerals and energy in recent years. With the finance dialogue now formalised as an annual event, it is expected to provide a regular high-level channel on supply chains, clean energy investment and regional financial stability, with outcomes to be announced after the forum.
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 东京金融区（资料图）。摄影：Celuici，CC BY-SA 3.0，来源：Wikimedia Commons
