Upcoming Events
Japan-Australia Investment Report 2025: Partners in Economic Security - April 23, Brisbane
Japanese M&A saw a record 77 transactions and 53 partnerships (250 partnerships since 2019) during 2025, with total Japanese direct investment into Australia increasing to a record $159.5 billion. What's driving this investment surge and how can Australian businesses successfully engage with Japanese investors?
Join the QJCCI and our event partner, Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer to learn more about this record-breaking investment at the Queensland launch event for the "Japan-Australia Investment Report 2025: Partners in Economic Security," produced by Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer and The Australian National University.
Based on over 100 interviews and in-depth analysis of Japan-Australia M&A transactions and partnerships in Australia, the report encapsulates findings and insights on investment trends that defined 2025, and also identifies key drivers for the future, including predictions for the trajectory of the Japan-Australia relationship for 2026 and beyond.
Registrations are strictly limited - please RSVP via this link: https://events.humanitix.com/japan-australia-investment-report-2025-launch-event
SPEAKERS/PANELISTS:
Ian Williams, Senior Advisor, Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer and Vice-President, Australia Japan Business Co-operation Committee
Ian has advised over 150 Japanese companies and acted in more than 400 transactions. Clients include leading trading houses, banks, energy companies, consumer goods and manufacturing companies. After 20 years as a partner, Ian became a Senior Adviser in 2020 and continues to work with clients on strategically important transactions and disputes. Ian is also chair of ASX-listed Lindsay Australia and NXT Building Group and a non-executive director of ASX-listed New Hope Corporation. In 2001, Ian co-founded the Australia Japan Roundtable Dinner which has since been held over 200 times in Japan and Australia. He holds bachelor degrees in law and economics from the University of Sydney, and a post-graduate diploma in Politics, Philosophy and Economics from the University of Oxford. Ian is also the only person ever to have represented both Australia (1984-1990) and Japan (1993) in rugby and represented Australia in baseball. In 2016, Ian was awarded the Japanese Foreign Minister's Commendation for service to the Japan Australia relationship in business and sport. Ian speaks business level Japanese.
Melissa Swain-Tonkin, Partner, Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer
Melissa is an experienced corporate and commercial lawyer who specialises in public and private mergers and acquisitions, predominantly in the energy and resources, renewables and infrastructure sectors, as well as related contractual, corporate governance and regulatory matters. Melissa focusses specifically on advising investors (including private equity funds and Japanese trading houses) on their Australian investments and she has experience across a range of acquisition and divestment structures, corporate restructures, capital raisings and joint ventures and strategic alliances. Having previously held the role of General Counsel & Company Secretary of a listed resources company, Melissa has developed a deep understanding of the mining industry in Australia. Melissa holds a Bachelor of Laws with first class Honours and the University Medal from the University of Queensland. Melissa also holds a Bachelor of Science and completed the AsiaLink Leaders Program in 2015.
Melissa Inooka, Queensland Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner – North Asia, Trade and Investment Queensland (online)
Melissa leads Trade & Investment Queensland’s Japan team, overseeing trade and investment in one of the State’s largest export markets. Prior to being appointed Commissioner, Melissa was Deputy Commissioner World Expo 2025 Osaka where she led Queensland’s participation at the global event. Melissa spent many years as a business development specialist in Tokyo and Brisbane before becoming Queensland’s first Director Investment - Japan. In 2022 she joined Stanwell as Commercial Partnerships Specialist for the Central Queensland Hydrogen Project where she remained until being appointed to the Deputy Commissioner role. Melissa is bilingual English Japanese and holds a Bachelor of Modern Asian Studies (Griffith University).
Reserve your place now via the link below (for any enquiries regarding your booking, please email ).
The dress code for this event is business attire.
Please note the QJCCI's cancellation policy: The QJCCI does not issue refunds or credits for Event Bookings; your registration will be considered a confirmed booking. If you are unable to attend, a substitute is welcome in your place, however please advise substitutions in writing to ensure a correct name tag will be available at the registration desk. No-shows and cancellations will be invoiced - we have obligations to our caterers that cannot be waived.
Event Details
* When: Thursday, 23 April 2026 from 5.30pm - 7.30pm AEST
* Where: Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer, 480 Queen St, Brisbane
* Pricing: QJCCI Premium Members - 1 representative free plus 1 non-member guest (RSVP as a regular member)
QJCCI Regular Members - free of charge (NB: Financial members of the QJCCI only)
JCCIB Members - free of charge
Guests (Non-Members) $40
* RSVP via this link:
https://events.humanitix.com/japan-australia-investment-report-2025-launch-event
ANZCCJ Events - Tokyo
QJCCI Members visiting Tokyo are invited to attend events hosted by the Australian and New Zealand Chamber of Commerce in Japan (ANZCCJ).
Under a partnership agreement, QJCCI Members are eligible for ANZCCJ member pricing - please inform the ANZCCJ of your QJCCI membership at time of booking.
Take advantage of the networking opportunities from attending events at one of Tokyo's biggest overseas chambers of commerce.
Please keep an eye on their upcoming events via this link.