30 Sep Australia-Japan News | September 2022
This page collates links to interesting articles that provide a picture of what is happening in Japan and in the Australia-Japan relationship, with brief summaries of their content.
While we don’t claim this list to be comprehensive, and some of the articles may be behind paywalls, we hope it will evolve into a valuable resource that assists members and subscribers in keeping up to date and provides a record of key developments… make sure to check back regularly to see the latest.
* indicates the article is behind a paywall.
September 2022
JARE supports Lynas’ Development with Additional Equity Investment
JARE (a special purpose company co-founded by Sojitz and JOGMEC) announced that it has contributed an additional $13.3 million in the equity of Lynas Rare Earths Ltd (Lynas) for its exploration project at Mount Weld. JOGMEC will also provide technical support to Lynas’ exploration program. In March 2022, JARE and Lynas signed a letter of agreement to reconfirm JARE’s long term support for Lynas, and the new equity injection is part of the shared commitment to work on future growth opportunities and development of the Japanese rare earth supply chain. Read more >
Mitsui Signs Agreement to Participate in Renewable Hydrogen Project in Western Australia
Mitsui & Co., Ltd. announced that it has agreed to acquire a 28% interest in ENGIE Renewables Australia’s subsidiary Yuri, which has been formed to develop an industrial-scale renewable hydrogen and ammonia project in the Pilbara region of WA with the goal to deploy a 10MW electrolyser to generate and supply renewable hydrogen to Yarra Pilbara Fertilisers. ENGIE and Mitsui intend to operate the Yuri project through this joint venture company. Once commissioned, it will be among the largest renewable energy-powered electrolysis in the world. Read more >
Blue Flag Pty Ltd becomes Japan’s Optimus Group’s consolidated subsidiary company
Japanese automobile service company Optimus Group Co., Ltd. announced on 15 September that through its wholly owned subsidiary, Optimus Group Australia, it has purchased additional shares resulting in a 60% stake in Blue Flag Pty Ltd (headquartered in Melbourne), which has made Blue Flag its consolidated subsidiary company. Blue Flag is a respected automotive data provider servicing the Australian automotive industry and Optimus aims to expand its Australian business using Blue Flag’s multitude of automotive industry intelligence and insight. Read more >
Feasibility Study on Establishing a Lower-Emissions Fuel Ammonia Supply Chain from Australia to Japan (Phase 2)
A joint research agreement was signed on 15 September by Woodside Energy, JOGMEC, Marubeni, Hokuriku Electric Power, Kansai Electric Power, Tohoku Electric Power and Hokkaido Electric Power to conduct a feasibility study (Phase 2) on the establishment of a lower-emissions fuel ammonia supply chain from Australia to Japan. Tohoku Electric and Hokkaido Electric have joined, as new participants, the five parties who conducted a feasibility study last year on the entire supply chain. All seven parties will jointly investigate the viability of the project. Read more >
MegaChips and Australian Morse Micro Form Strategic Capital and Business Alliance
Japanese chip maker MegaChips announced on 7 September that it has invested $100 million in Sydney-based Morse Micro – a leading Australian semiconductor company developing long-range Wi-Fi technology (HaLow). Through the strategic partnership, MegaChips will take on manufacturing of Morse Micro’s semiconductor products and jointly pursue sales activities to enhance the reach of Wi-Fi HaLow in the Japanese market and across the globe. Read more >
AGL and Idemitsu Joint Venture Secures Funding to advance Development Studies for Muswellbrook Pumped Hydro
AGL and Idemitsu Australia Resources announced their joint venture, Muswellbrook Pumped Hydro Pty Ltd, signed a $9.45 million funding agreement with Energy Corporation of NSW to progress the proposed 250MW Muswellbrook Pumped Hydro Energy Storage project in the Hunter region. The project is investigating the use of Idemitsu’s old coal mine void as the lower reservoir in the pumped hydro system. Idemitsu plans to convert the area to a Clean Energy and Industrial Precinct. Read more >
Suzuki Invests in Australian Applied Electric Vehicles
Suzuki Motor Corporation announced on 12 September that it has invested in Melbourne-based startup Applied Electric Vehicles* (Applied EV) to strengthen its software development capabilities for the next generation of mobility. Suzuki hopes to accelerate its transition to the production of electric vehicles and autonomous transport using Applied EV’s advanced software technology through collaboration. Read more >
Australian construction group Built and Japan’s Obayashi to construct Atlassian Australia headquarters in Sydney.
Built-Obayashi Joint Venture has been appointed by Australian real estate firm Dexus to construct Atlassian’s Australian headquarters – a 39-story hybrid timber office building in the Tech Central precinct in Sydney. The project aims to achieve a 50% reduction in CO2 emissions during construction, and for operation, the building is to be powered by 100% renewable energy. Sumitomo Forestry and NTT Urban Development are also working on a project to build a net zero carbon building in Melbourne with U.S. firm Hines. Read more >