On January 15, 2015, the Japan-Australia Economic Partnership Agreement entered into force, opening up opportunities for increased trade and investment by Australia with Japan which is the third largest economy in the world and Australia’s second largest trading partner.

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe released a joint statement welcoming the entry into force of the Japan-Australia Economic Partnership Agreement, saying the agreement lays the foundation for the next phase of bilateral economic relations, and will strengthen ‘the special strategic partnership’ between Japan and Australia.