• Premier to visit Japan and South Korea to strengthen economic ties with long-term trading partners and boost tourism opportunities
• Latest mission will be the Premier's first visit to South Korea since taking office
• Japanese visit includes time in Tokyo and WA's Sister State, Hyogo Prefecture
• Visit follows the McGowan Government securing Tokyo-Perth direct flights 

Premier Mark McGowan's latest mission to North East Asia will be focused on promoting the new Tokyo-Perth direct flight, and strengthening economic ties with some of Western Australia's key trade and investment partners in Japan and South Korea.

Last month, the McGowan Government successfully secured direct flights with All Nippon Airways to start the Tokyo-Perth route from September. The service which will operate seven days a week will bolster visitor numbers, grow the tourism industry and create more jobs for Western Australians.

The Premier will meet next week with the President and CEO of All Nippon Airways to personally thank him for the company's co-operation and commitment to the Tokyo-Perth service, the first time a direct service between Japan and Perth has operated in more than eight years.

Discussions around broader resources and industry engagement in Western Australia will also be held with senior representatives across a range of businesses, including Mitsubishi Corporation, Mitsui & Co, Tokyo Gas and INPEX Corporation.

During the mission, the Premier will meet with government officials including the Australian Ambassador to Japan Hon Richard Court AC and Australian Ambassador to the Republic of Korea HE James Choi.

The mission also marks the Premier's first visit to South Korea since taking office. The visit to Seoul includes opportunities to meet with key trade and investment partners to boost and attract further investment in resource and new technology projects in Western Australia.

Japan and South Korea have had longstanding relationships with Western Australia, contributing 62 per cent of the total value of WA's petroleum exports in 2017-18.

Japan is the second largest customer for iron ore exports, contributing to nine per cent of WA's total value of iron ore exports in 2017-18. Contributing six per cent of Western Australia's total value of iron ore exports in 2017-18, South Korea is WA's third largest customer for both iron ore and petroleum.

Comments attributed to Premier Mark McGowan:

"Western Australia has a long and successful relationship with Japan and South Korea and as part of nurturing and strengthening these ties, I am also keen on boosting and attracting further investment in resource and technology projects in our State to create more jobs and elevate our economy.

"A focus of my 2017 visit to Japan was to secure direct flights to Western Australia, which has now been achieved through the recent deal with All Nippon Airways.

"I'm looking forward to partnering with the airline and exploring other initiatives to make sure these direct flights are a success for Western Australia, Japan and ANA. 

"My priority is to continue to push for more ways we can boost tourism and Western Australia's economy during this visit to Japan and South Korea."

Premier's office - 6552 5000

• Premier to visit Japan and South Korea to strengthen economic ties with long-term trading partners and boost tourism opportunities
• Latest mission will be the Premier's first visit to South Korea since taking office
• Japanese visit includes time in Tokyo and WA's Sister State, Hyogo Prefecture
• Visit follows the McGowan Government securing Tokyo-Perth direct flights 

Premier Mark McGowan's latest mission to North East Asia will be focused on promoting the new Tokyo-Perth direct flight, and strengthening economic ties with some of Western Australia's key trade and investment partners in Japan and South Korea.

Last month, the McGowan Government successfully secured direct flights with All Nippon Airways to start the Tokyo-Perth route from September. The service which will operate seven days a week will bolster visitor numbers, grow the tourism industry and create more jobs for Western Australians.

The Premier will meet next week with the President and CEO of All Nippon Airways to personally thank him for the company's co-operation and commitment to the Tokyo-Perth service, the first time a direct service between Japan and Perth has operated in more than eight years.

Discussions around broader resources and industry engagement in Western Australia will also be held with senior representatives across a range of businesses, including Mitsubishi Corporation, Mitsui & Co, Tokyo Gas and INPEX Corporation.

During the mission, the Premier will meet with government officials including the Australian Ambassador to Japan Hon Richard Court AC and Australian Ambassador to the Republic of Korea HE James Choi.

The mission also marks the Premier's first visit to South Korea since taking office. The visit to Seoul includes opportunities to meet with key trade and investment partners to boost and attract further investment in resource and new technology projects in Western Australia.

Japan and South Korea have had longstanding relationships with Western Australia, contributing 62 per cent of the total value of WA's petroleum exports in 2017-18.

Japan is the second largest customer for iron ore exports, contributing to nine per cent of WA's total value of iron ore exports in 2017-18. Contributing six per cent of Western Australia's total value of iron ore exports in 2017-18, South Korea is WA's third largest customer for both iron ore and petroleum.

Comments attributed to Premier Mark McGowan:

"Western Australia has a long and successful relationship with Japan and South Korea and as part of nurturing and strengthening these ties, I am also keen on boosting and attracting further investment in resource and technology projects in our State to create more jobs and elevate our economy.

"A focus of my 2017 visit to Japan was to secure direct flights to Western Australia, which has now been achieved through the recent deal with All Nippon Airways.

"I'm looking forward to partnering with the airline and exploring other initiatives to make sure these direct flights are a success for Western Australia, Japan and ANA. 

"My priority is to continue to push for more ways we can boost tourism and Western Australia's economy during this visit to Japan and South Korea."

Premier's office - 6552 5000