Visit to New South Wales as part of the Fukuoka Prefecture-New South Wales Exchange Promotion Delegation

Fukuoka Prefecture works closely with the government of New South Wales, home to the state capital Sydney, the economic and cultural center of Australia, in fields such as the hydrogen industry, sports, and tourism. From August 4 to 10, the Fukuoka Prefecture-New South Wales Exchange Promotion Delegation (hereinafter referred to as the Prefectural Delegation), including the Governor and the Chairman of the Prefectural Assembly, visited New South Wales.

*Due to official duties, the Governor's field activities took place from Sunday, August 6 to Wednesday, August 9.

Sunday, August 6

Opinion exchange meeting with the Sydney Fukuoka Kenjinkai (an association of people from Fukuoka Prefecture)

The Prefectural Delegation attended an opinion exchange meeting with the Sydney Fukuoka Kenjinkai.

In addition to the Kenjinkai, the meeting was attended by people from the Fukuoka Japan-Australia Society and the Nagakura Foundation, which are dedicated to promoting exchanges between Fukuoka Prefecture and Australia.

At the opinion exchange meeting, the Governor expressed his gratitude to the Kenjinkai for their cooperation in the international human resource development project that has been implemented since last year, and said in his greeting, “I hope that we will work together with you to make the bond between Australia and Fukuoka even stronger.”

(Photo) Greeting by the Governor of Fukuoka Prefecture

Monday, August 7

Courtesy visit to the Governor of New South Wales

The Prefectural Delegation paid a courtesy visit to Margaret Beazley, Governor of New South Wales, and exchanged views on collaboration in hydrogen energy, sports exchanges, etc.

(Photo) Governor Beazley and the Governor of Fukuoka Prefecture

Discussions with the New South Wales government

The Prefectural Delegation held discussions with Andrew Lewis, Deputy Permanent Secretary, Department of Energy and Climate Change, Government of New South Wales, regarding the promotion of cooperation in the hydrogen field.

The Governor said, "We would like to conclude a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the promotion of cooperation in the hydrogen field by the end of this fiscal year to deepen cooperation between the two regions," to which Deputy Secretary Lewis replied, "We would like to conclude the MOU at the Asia-Pacific Hydrogen Summit & Exhibition 2023, a hydrogen-related conference to be held in Sydney on October 26 and 27.”

(Photo) Greeting by the Governor of Fukuoka Prefecture

Courtesy visit to the President of the Legislative Council of New South Wales

The Prefectural Delegation paid a courtesy visit to Ben Franklin, President of the New South Wales Legislative Council.

The Governor said, “I would like to conclude a memorandum of understanding between the New South Wales government and Fukuoka Prefecture to promote hydrogen energy relations within this fiscal year,” while Legislative Council President Franklin responded firmly, “Hydrogen energy is indispensable considering the future of both countries. We will support you 100%.”

(Photo) Legislative Council President Franklin (center) and the Prefectural Delegation

Opinion exchange meeting with New South Wales officials

The Prefectural Delegation attended an opinion exchange meeting with officials from New South Wales.

The opinion exchange meeting was attended by former Australian rugby player Nick Farr-Jones, the Japanese Consul General in Sydney Shuichi Tokuda, a representative from the state government's Department of Energy and Climate Change, as well as people from hydrogen-related companies, trading companies, and universities in Fukuoka Prefecture.

At the opinion exchange meeting, the Governor said, “I hope that today's opinion exchange meeting will be fruitful and that the exchanges between New South Wales and Fukuoka Prefecture will deepen even further.”

(Photo) With concerned parties from New South Wales

Tuesday, August 8

Visit to the Port of Newcastle and Newcastle Institute for Energy and Resources, the University of Newcastle

The Prefectural Delegation visited the Port of Newcastle, a hydrogen hub in New South Wales, and the nearby Newcastle Institute for Energy and Resources, the University of Newcastle.

The Governor of Fukuoka said, “Our prefecture is also trying to build a large-scale hydrogen hub in the Kitakyushu area. Our objectives are the same, and we would like to build a win-win relationship by supporting business matching between companies in both regions and exchanges between universities."

(Photo) The Governor visits the Port of Newcastle from aboard a ship

(Photo) Greeting by the Governor of Fukuoka Prefecture

Tourism Seminar

The Prefectural Delegation attended a Tourism Seminar aimed at local travel agencies and media to promote tourism in Fukuoka and Kyushu and the appeal of cycling tourism in Fukuoka Prefecture.

The Governor said, “Fukuoka Prefecture is blessed with wonderful nature, and there are many delicious agricultural, forestry, and fishery products produced from this nature, and the food is the best in Japan. In addition, the Tour de Kyushu will be held this fall. I hope you will come visit Fukuoka.”

(Photo) Greeting by the Governor of Fukuoka Prefecture

Exchange of views with the New South Wales Rugby Union

　On August 9, the Prefectural Delegation visited Allianz Stadium and exchanged views with Paul Doorn, CEO of the New South Wales Rugby Union.

In his greeting, the Governor said, “I would like to work together with you to build exchanges between New South Wales and Fukuoka Prefecture for the future of our children.”

(Photo) CEO Doorn (front row, 4th from left) and Prefectural Delegation

Exchange of opinions with Qantas and Jetstar Airways

The Prefectural Delegation visited the Qantas headquarters and exchanged views with the CEO of Qantas International & Freight, Cameron Wallace, and Jetstar CEO Stephanie Tully.

The Governor said, “I would like to ask that you consider restoring direct flights to Fukuoka, which has potential in a variety of fields including tourism, business, and sports.”

(Photo) Opinion exchange meeting

Courtesy visit to the Minister of Industry and Trade of New South Wales

The Prefectural Delegation paid a courtesy visit to New South Wales Minister for Industry and Trade Anoulack Chanthivong and exchanged views on industry and trade between the two regions.

The Governor said, “I would like to support cooperation in the hydrogen field with New South Wales and research exchanges between companies and universities,” to which the Minister responded, “Cooperation in the hydrogen field is not only for economic purposes, but also for social purposes. It also contributes to the environment.” They confirmed that they would continue to visit each other in the future.

(Photo) Minister Chanthivong and the Governor