On February 22–28, 2004, the 13th Australian delegation to Japan of the Australia-Japan Young Political Leaders Exchange was led by Sussan Ley MP and visited Tokyo, Nagoya, and Kyoto. In Tokyo, they met with leading Diet members, ministry officials, and top Japanese business executives for briefings and discussions on Japanese politics, economy, and foreign policy, as well as security issues of shared concern and the Australia-Japan relationship.
The delegates also took part in a panel discussion on current issues and the future outlook concerning Australia’s political and economic situation and the implications for the Australia-Japan relationship. Then, after stopping in Nagoya for a tour of the Toyota plant and a meeting with Toyota executives, they visited Kyoto to visit historic sites and receive briefings on traditional Japanese culture.
Participants
Liberal Party
SUSSAN LEY MP [Delegation Leader], Federal Member for Farrer
MICHAEL DURRANT, Vice President of Sturt Federal Electorate Committee; Member, Board of Management, Kelly & Co Lawyers
AMALIA MATHESON, Media Adviser, Rural Doctors Association of Australia; Former Vice President of the ACT Division of the Liberal Party of Australia
National Party
BRENDON GRYLLS MP, Member for Merredin, Legislative Assembly, Parliament of Western Australia
Australian Labor Party
MARTYN EVANS MP, Federal Member for Bonython
JAMES MERLINO, Member for Monbulk, Legislative Assembly, Parliament of Victoria
JONATHAN KIRKWOOD, Adviser to Mr Robert McClelland MP, Shadow Minister for Homeland Security
NICOLE WELLS, Adviser to the Hon Duncan Kerr MP, Federal Member for Denison
Australian Political Exchange Council
JOHN EDGE, Secretary
