Japan and Australia
Japan buys Australian resources and food and sells industrial equipment and vehicles. The relationship expands through investment, defence cooperation and economic security. Resident communities, travel and studies provide civilian connections that can be measured separately.
Analysis reviewed: 2026-10-07 · Indicators updated: 2026-10-07Industrial and resource complementarity
Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs reports exports to Australia of 2.057 trillion yen and imports of 6.204 trillion for 2025.
Economic treaties and regional partnership
The Australian profile describes developments since post-war normalisation and the 1957 trade agreement.
Economic security and contacts in 2026
The Japanese profile records Takaichi's visit to Australia in May 2026 and a declaration of cooperation on economic security, alongside documents on critical minerals, energy, defence and cybersecurity.
Bilateral indicators
Blank cells: data unavailable.
| Indicator | Value | Period |
|---|---|---|
| Goods trade | 8.26 trillion JPY | 2025 · Japan MOFA |
| Goods: Japan to Australia | 2.06 trillion JPY | 2025 · Japan MOFA |
| Goods: Australia to Japan | 6.2 trillion JPY | 2025 · Japan MOFA |
| Services trade | ||
| Export share: Japan to Australia | ||
| Export share: Australia to Japan | ||
| Investment stock: Japan in Australia | 17.38 trillion JPY | 2025 · Bank of Japan |
| Investment stock: Australia in Japan | 0.35 trillion JPY | 2025 · Bank of Japan |
Definitions and sources
Trade adds both directions. Shares refer to the country’s total goods exports; investment is an accumulated stock, not an annual flow. Every figure retains the currency and period of its source. BEA positions are historical-cost estimates based on the immediate counterpart, not market values or investment by ultimate owner. ‘More than’ indicates a lower bound, not an exact amount. A recorded stock does not establish new activity or authorisation to operate under sanctions.
- Goods trade
- 2025 · Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan · Goods trade published by Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, based on customs statistics; trillion JPY.
- Goods: Japan to Australia
- 2025 · Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan · Goods trade published by Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, based on customs statistics; trillion JPY.
- Goods: Australia to Japan
- 2025 · Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan · Goods trade published by Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, based on customs statistics; trillion JPY.
- Investment stock: Japan in Australia
- 2025 · Bank of Japan · Direct investment position, all sectors; units of 100 million yen converted to trillion yen. Japanese source.
- Investment stock: Australia in Japan
- 2025 · Bank of Japan · Direct investment position, all sectors; units of 100 million yen converted to trillion yen. Japanese source.
Country comparison
Period and source beside each figure · est. = estimate by the stated institution.
| Indicator | Japan | Australia |
|---|---|---|
| Nominal GDP | 4.44 trillion USD2025 · WB | 1.8 trillion USD2025 · WB |
| GDP per capita | 35,951.05 USD2025 · WB | 65,129.72 USD2025 · WB |
| GDP growth | 1.19 %2025 · WB | 1.35 %2025 · WB |
| Policy interest rate | 1.25 %2026-09-24 · BoJ | 4.6 %2026-09-29 · RBA |
| Inflation · annual average | 3.17 %Annual average · 2025 · WB | 2.87 %Annual average · 2025 · WB |
| Inflation · latest year-on-year figure | 1.9 %Year-on-year · Aug. 2026 · Statistics JP | 4 %Headline CPI · 2026-08 · year-on-year · ABS |
| Unemployment | 2.45 %ILO est.2025 · WB | 4.09 %ILO est.2025 · WB |
| Budget balance (% of GDP) | -1.1 %IMF est.2025 · IMF | -2.8 %IMF est.2025 · IMF |
| Gross public debt (% of GDP) | 206.5 %IMF est.2025 · IMF | 51 %IMF est.2025 · IMF |
| Current account balance (% of GDP) | 4.86 %2025 · WB | -2.68 %2025 · WB |
| Population | 123,366,7342025 · WB | 27,614,4112025 · WB |
| Area | 377,969 km²2023 · BM / FAO | 7,741,220 km²2023 · WB |
| Military expenditure | ||
| Military expenditure (% of GDP) |
Definitions, dates and sources
Blank cells are not zero. Average annual inflation and the latest year-on-year figure appear in separate rows: they are not the same measure. Every annual indicator retains its reference year; when the years differ, the figures are identified as not directly comparable. When a figure is unavailable from the World Bank, an annual IMF estimate is used and identified as such. The latest year-on-year figure is the latest official release verified as of 7 October 2026. This includes advance releases marked as provisional. Mexico may have a fortnightly figure before the full month is published; it is not automatically compared with a monthly figure. The publication date is retained in each source’s details; it does not replace the observation period or the annual average. Policy rates carry their own dates and represent different instruments. Spain and France share the ECB rate. Balances are positive for surpluses and negative for deficits. The IMF may use fiscal years; unemployment retains each source’s definition (ILO estimates, IMF WEO or PCBS), as stated in the details. For Palestine, debt and the fiscal balance cover central government and retain the PCBS definition; they are not presented as consolidated general government. These are economic magnitudes, not measures of relationship quality.
Area retains each source’s territorial coverage; it does not determine sovereignty or effective control. Canada uses an archived national geographic reference. Military expenditure retains the 2024 SIPRI sample distributed by the World Bank: the amount and percentage of GDP use that same definition, which differs from NATO’s. It is not an approved budget or a 2026 figure. Information from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). Military expenditure database · Terms of use0
Indicators reviewed: 2026-10-07. Each source retains its original access date; this review does not turn all the data into 2026 observations. Figures may be revised.
- Nominal GDP
- Current USDJapan: 2025 · World BankAustralia: 2025 · World Bank · Official World Bank series; latest verified period available for this series in the 2023–2025 query.
- GDP per capita
- Current USD per personJapan: 2025 · World BankAustralia: 2025 · World Bank · Official World Bank series; latest verified period available for this series in the 2023–2025 query.
- GDP growth
- Annual real change (%)Japan: 2025 · World BankAustralia: 2025 · World Bank · Official World Bank series; latest verified period available for this series in the 2023–2025 query.
- Policy interest rate
- Central bank instrument (%)Japan: 2026-09-24 · Approximate target for the uncollateralised overnight rate · Bank of JapanAustralia: 2026-09-29 · Cash rate target · RBA · Official central-bank decision; not a commercial lending rate or a bill yield.
- Inflation · annual average
- Average annual change in headline CPI (%)Japan: 2025 · Annual average change in the CPI (%) · World BankAustralia: 2025 · Annual average change in the CPI (%) · World Bank · Official World Bank series; latest verified period available for this series in the 2023–2025 query.
- Inflation · latest year-on-year figure
- Headline CPI relative to the same period of the previous year (%); monthly or fortnightly frequency statedJapan: 2026-08 · Change in headline CPI from the same month of the previous year (%) · Statistics Bureau of Japan · Published: 2026-09-18 · National headline CPI, 2025 base; includes fresh food and energy. The measure excluding fresh food (1.7%) and the preliminary Tokyo release are not used.Australia: 2026-08 · National headline CPI, change from the same month of the previous year · ABS · Published: 2026-09-30 · Official monthly data. Not mixed with the annual average. · Alternative official source; verified 2026-10-07
- Unemployment
- % of the labour force; definition used by the stated institutionJapan: 2025 · World Bank · ILO est.Australia: 2025 · ILO modelled estimate, % of the labour force · World Bank · ILO est. · Official World Bank series; latest verified period available for this series in the 2023–2025 query.
- Budget balance
- General government (% of GDP)Japan: 2025 · IMF — World Economic Outlook · IMF est.Australia: 2025 · IMF · IMF est. · IMF WEO estimate, not a monthly observation. Retains the country's fiscal year where it differs from the calendar year.
- Gross public debt
- General government (% of GDP)Japan: 2025 · IMF — World Economic Outlook · IMF est.Australia: 2025 · IMF · IMF est. · IMF WEO estimate, not a monthly observation. Retains the country's fiscal year where it differs from the calendar year.
- Current account balance
- % of GDPJapan: 2025 · World BankAustralia: 2025 · World Bank · Official World Bank series; latest verified period available for this series in the 2023–2025 query.
- Population
- PeopleJapan: 2025 · World BankAustralia: 2025 · World Bank · Official World Bank series; latest verified period available for this series in the 2023–2025 query.
- Area
- Total area in km²; territorial coverage of the sourceJapan: 2023 · Total area, including inland waters; source's territorial coverage · World Bank · FAOAustralia: 2023 · World Bank / FAO · Official World Bank series; latest verified period available for this series in the 2023–2025 query.
- Military expenditure
- Current USD per year; SIPRI series
- Military expenditure (% of GDP)
- Percentage of GDP; SIPRI definition, not NATO’s definition
Other data specific to this relationship
What they buy and sell
Documented selection, not an exhaustive list. Cells without a figure do not mean zero value; some products are identified without a verified amount.
Japan to Australia
| Product or sector | Value / share |
|---|---|
| Vehicles and components | |
| Machinery | |
| Electrical equipment | |
| Tyres |
Australia to Japan
| Product or sector | Value / share |
|---|---|
| Coal | |
| Iron ore | |
| Natural gas | |
| Beef |
Connections between people
Residents, arrivals and students are shown with different definitions; Japanese academic stays represent an annual institutional flow. [3]
Residents, study and travel
Blank cells: data unavailable. Each measure retains its definition and period.
| Indicator | Value | Period / source |
|---|---|---|
| Residents from Japan living in AustraliaNationality; registered residents | 105,556 | 2025-10 · Japan MOFA |
| Residents from Australia living in JapanNationality; registered residents | 11,845 | 2025-06 · Japan MOFA |
| Study and training: Japan in Australia | ||
| Study and training: Australia in JapanHigher education and language; enrolment in Japan | 455 | 2025-05-01 · JASSO |
| Academic stays: Japan in AustraliaAnnual mobility flow reported by Japanese institutions | 9,329 | 2024/25 · JASSO |
| Academic stays: Australia in Japan | ||
| Travel: Japan to Australia | ||
| Travel: Australia to JapanAustralian nationality; arrivals in Japan | 1,058,396arrivals | 2025 · JNTO |
What each figure measures
Residents are counted by nationality and the coverage of the stated register, not as people born in the other country or as new arrivals in one year. PERE includes dual nationals and people born outside Spain. Study with OPT and stays carrying academic credit are different measures. Travel may include several visits by the same person; FRONTUR arrivals require an overnight stay, whereas the Canadian survey includes day visits. These figures are neither added together nor automatically compared across directions.
- Residents from Japan living in Australia
- Count by nationality: Japanese nationals in Australia or Australian nationals in Japan. Different reference dates. 2025-10 · Japan MOFA
- Residents from Australia living in Japan
- Count by nationality: Japanese nationals in Australia or Australian nationals in Japan. Different reference dates. 2025-06 · Japan MOFA
- Study and training: Australia in Japan
- Australian students at higher-education and Japanese-language institutions; snapshot as of 1 May 2025, not annual mobility. 2025-05-01 · JASSO
- Academic stays: Japan in Australia
- Outbound mobility reported by Japanese universities, fiscal year April 2024–March 2025; not the total of Japanese students simultaneously enrolled in Australia. 2024/25 · JASSO
- Travel: Australia to Japan
- Arrivals of Australian visitors in Japan; JNTO nationality criterion, not residence or unique people. 2025 · JNTO
Mobility data added or reviewed: 2026-10-07. Reference periods may be earlier.
Underlying ties
History, institutions and long-standing issues.
Industrial and resource complementarity
Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs reports exports to Australia of 2.057 trillion yen and imports of 6.204 trillion for 2025. Japan mainly sells vehicles and other industrial equipment; Australia supplies coal, iron ore, natural gas and meat, among other products. The composition explains connections between manufacturing, energy supply and consumption, not just an aggregate balance. Japanese figures are retained in yen and kept separate from Australian totals that include services. [1]
Economic treaties and regional partnership
The Australian profile describes developments since post-war normalisation and the 1957 trade agreement. The current relationship includes the economic partnership agreement and participation in CPTPP and RCEP. Each instrument has its own parties and coverage. Regional cooperation does not automatically replace bilateral commitments or mean that every product or service has the same market-entry rules. [2]
Military cooperation through specific instruments
The partnership includes foreign-affairs and defence consultations, a renewed security declaration and a reciprocal access agreement to facilitate activities by the forces. The Australian profile places these instruments within the strategic partnership. Cooperation and access are not a merger of forces and should not be described as an automatic obligation to intervene in any conflict. Exercises, supplies and capabilities have their own procedures and timetables. [2]
Investment adds another economic scale
The Bank of Japan publishes outward and inward direct investment positions by counterparty and sector. The table uses the total for all sectors in 2025 in trillion yen, retaining both directions. An accumulated position differs from an annual flow and from the value of affiliate sales. It may also differ from an Australian figure expressed in another currency and another year; the two are not substituted merely because both describe investment. [3]
Recent developments
Recent developments and latest available data · Reviewed: 2026-10-07
Economic security and contacts in 2026
The Japanese profile records Takaichi's visit to Australia in May 2026 and a declaration of cooperation on economic security, alongside documents on critical minerals, energy, defence and cybersecurity. This agenda places supply and technology alongside the military relationship. Civilian indicators offer another perspective: residents by nationality and arrivals or studies with their own periods, without treating the latter as a population census. [1]
What recorded goods show
In 2025, recorded goods trade was 8.26 trillion JPY. Shipments from Japan to Australia were 2.06 trillion JPY, and those in the opposite direction were 6.2 trillion JPY. A single reporter is used for both directions. The difference between those flows describes that source's goods balance, not the entire economic balance: services, affiliate activity and investment have independent measures. [1]
Milestones and consequences
Sources and data
Periods and scope of the figures
Each figure retains its period, currency, definition and source. Blank cells are not zero. Policy documents are distinguished from statistical results, and projects under way from announcements.
- Japan–Australia: basic data
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan · Institutional source · Document: 2026-06-25 · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- Japan country brief
Australia DFAT · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- Direct investment positions for 2025
Bank of Japan / Ministry of Finance · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
Additional sources on products and human connections
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
2026-10-07 · Accessed: 2026-10-07.