南半球便り＜その9＞ パース訪問（Visit to Perth）（2021年3月30日）

絶妙のタイミングと厚遇

　コロナ禍に伴う州境封鎖でWAへの訪問が長らく困難であった中、今回の私の訪問は、キャンベラに駐在する外国大使の先頭を切って、ほぼ一年ぶりにWAを訪問する機会となりました。実際、その旨、ゼンピラス･パース市長やダウストWA上院議長からも指摘され、温かく歓迎されました。要所で記帳をするたび、直前の記帳が一年前の日付であったことが印象的でした。

　また、キャンベラの知人からの口添えもあり、ビーズリーWA総督（元労働党党首、駐米大使）からは、由緒ある公邸で素晴らしい昼食のおもてなしを受けました。現下の国際･地域情勢について、非常に率直な意見交換をすることができました。

　旧知のコート前駐日大使（元WA州首相）夫妻からは、有名な地元大富豪の個人美術コレクションを鑑賞しながら豪州の歴史についての講釈をうかがい、夕食を共にしつつ森羅万象について議論することができました。忘れられない一夜になりました。

現下の問題についての意見交換

　ビーズリー総督、マッガーワン州首相、ダウスト上院議長、ゼンピラス市長、大物財界人、学者、日本企業関係者、豪日協会関係者等と精力的に会談し、幅広く意見交換をしてきました。中国との貿易への依存度が過剰に高く、殊に、ワイン、ロブスターといったWA産品も貿易制限措置に晒されてきた経緯があるだけに、連邦政府の政策に対する反応が注目されました。

　そもそも州経済にとっての大黒柱である鉄鉱石が貿易制限措置の対象となっていないとの展開、豪州の対応を支持するとの米政権高官発言、アラスカでの米中両政府間の激しいやりとりの直後であったこともあり、宥和的な発言を聞くことは殆どありませんでした。

日本の立場についての対外発信

　今回の出張の主眼の一つは、同地のパースUSアジアセンターというシンクタンクが毎年開催している「日本シンポジウム」に、旧知のゴードン･フレーク同センター所長からキーノート･スピーカーとして招かれたためです。

　ご案内のとおり、ビショップ元外相は、日本とのツー･プラス･ツーで大きな役割を果たしてこられた方です。歯に衣着せぬプレゼンの迫力はもちろんのこと、相変わらずの抜群のファッション･センスで、場が殊の外、華やぎました。

　私は同元外相と相次いで登壇し、スピーチ（www.au.emb-japan.go.jp/files/100166710.pdf）。その後、コート前大使やゴードン･フレーク所長も加わって、4人でパネル･ディスカッション（www.perthusasia.edu.au/our-work/2021-japan-symposium）が行われました。

　豪州のインド洋への玄関口であるパースという土地柄、そして、日米豪印（QUA D）の首脳会談直後であっただけに、話題の相当部分がQUADに集中したのが印象的でした。聴衆からの最初の質問が、ネットでワシントンから参加していた旧知のグレン･フクシマ氏からであったことが、日豪米の密接なつながりを会場に感じさせることとなりました。

富の力

　天然ガス事業に携わるウッドサイド社、鉄鉱石に携わるリオ･ティント社、ＢＨＰ、ＦＭＧ社など、豪州を代表するエネルギー、鉱山業の大企業関係者から、ブリーフを受ける一方、忌憚のない意見交換をしてきました。

　豪州企業からは、鉄鉱石や天然ガスを中心とす伝統的な日豪間の補完的貿易関係を越えて、水素をはじめとする新たな分野を開拓していきたいとの強い関心が表明されました。

　西豪州の鉄鉱石や天然ガスが日本経済を支えてきたことは、ご案内のとおりです。同時に、これらの資源がもたらした膨大な富の力は、パースの街並み、東京のオフィスビルに勝るとも劣らない大企業の瀟洒な本社ビル、個人事業家の美術コレクションを目の当たりにすれば、一目瞭然です。こうしたパースのビジネス街で、400 億米ドル規模の壮大なイクシスLNGプロジェクトの運営を担うINPEX 社の看板を目にし、大変誇らしく思いました。

　気候変動問題への対応、なかんずく2050年までの炭素排出ゼロの実現が迫られる中、時代を超えて事業を展開しようと模索する豪州企業のバ
イタリティーと、日本企業の世界に誇る技術力、資金力等とを組み合わせながら、日豪間の経済関係をより緊密なものにしていけるのではないか？ 希望に満ちた「未来予想図」が描けることを期待しています。

　限りなく美しい街パース。

　何度でも再訪しようと思いながら、キャンベラへの帰途に着きました。
　

在オーストラリア日本国大使　山上信吾

やまがみしんご
東京大学法学部卒業後、1984年外務省入省。コロンビア大学大学院留学。茨城県警本部警務部長という異色の経歴を経て在英国日本国大使館公使、国際法局審議官、総合外交政策局審議官（政策企画･国際安全保障担当大使）、日本国際問題研究所所長代行を歴任後、17年国際情報統括官、18年経済局長。20年12月、在豪日本大使に着任。

From the 22nd to the 26th of March, I undertook　a visit to the city of Perth in the state of Western　Australia. This was my first official visit to WA　since taking up my ambassadorial position　in Australia, and personally I was very much　looking forward to my first ever visit to Perth.　Perth, with its　Mediterranean climate of blue　skies and bathed in abundant sunshine, where　the contrast between vegetation and water　that one ordinarily sees within urban areas is　rendered ever more vividly, is a truly beautiful city. I thus well understood why it is said　that Perth is the best place to live not only in　Australia, but in the world.

Exquisite timing and warm hospitality

Given that journeying to Western Australia　remained difficult for such a long time as a　result of the state border closures that have　accompanied the COVID-19 pandemic, my visit　presented the first opportunity in almost a year　for a foreign ambassador residing in Canberra to　visit WA, thus making me a trailblazer of sorts.　This was actually pointed out to me by the　Mayor of the City of Perth, Mr Basil Zempilas,　and the Hon. Catherine Doust, President of the　Legislative Council, who both received me very　warmly. One particular memory from this visit　was every time I went to sign the guestbook at　one of my official destinations, I noticed that the　date of the last entry was made a year ago.

Upon recommendation by acquaintances in　Canberra, I was treated to an excellent lunch at the distinguished official residence of the　Governor of Western Australia, the Hon. Kim　Beazley AC ( former leader of the Australian　Labor Party, and former Australian ambassador　to the United States). I was able to have a　very honest and frank exchange of views with　Governor Beazley on the current state of global　and regional affairs.

From my old acquaintance the Hon. Richard　Court AC, former Australian ambassador to Japan (and former Premier of WA) and Mrs Court, I　received a lesson on Australian history while admiring the personal art collection of a wellknown　local magnate and was able to discuss　everything under heaven with other guests over dinner. It was truly an unforgettable evening.

Exchanging opinions about current issues

My visit to Perth enabled me to engage in vigorous conversations with Governor Beazley, Premier McGowan, Legislative President Doust,　Mayor Zempilas, business leaders, scholars, Japanese corporate representatives and Japan-Australia friendship groups and enjoy a wideranging　exchange of opinions with them. Given the extraordinarily high level of dependence　that WA has on trade with China and the recent experience of WA products being subject to import restriction measures, most notably for wine and lobster, much attention was paid to　responses to federal government policies.

Developments such as the fact that the mainstay of the WA state economy, the iron ore trade, had not yet been subject to import restrictions, statements made by high-level US official showing support for Australia’s position, and　with the visit coming straight after the robust exchange between the US and China in Alaska, also meant that I didn’t hear much talk about conciliation.

Spreading the word about Japan’s position

One of the principle reasons for my visit to WA was an invitation that I received from my good friend and Perth USAsia Centre Director Gordon Flake to attend the annual ‘Japan Symposium’ hosted by the same USAsia Centre think tank. As you would no doubt be aware, former foreign minister Julie Bishop has played a highly prominent role in the 2+2 meetings held between Australia and Japan. With her usual impeccable style former minister Bishop gave a powerful, forthright address, and certainly lit up the venue.

I myself took the stage along with former foreign minister Bishop to give my speech (www.au.emb-japan.go.jp/files/100166710.pdf). Thereafter we were joined by former ambassador Court and Director Flake where we engaged in a four-person panel discussion.(www.perthusasia.edu.au/events/japan-symposium/japan-symposium-2021).

In addition to discussing Perth’s role as Australia’s gateway to the Indian Ocean region, I was particularly struck by the fact that since the symposium came not long after the Quad Leaders’ Summit, a majority of the discussion centered on the Quad. The fact that the very first question from the audience came courtesy of my good friend Glen Fukushima, who was participating in the symposium via an internet link from Washington, also made the venue acutely aware just how close the relationships are between Australia, Japan and the US.

The power of wealth

In addition to the above, I received briefings from corporate representatives of Australia’s premier energy and iron ore companies such as Woodside, itself involved in the natural gas industry, as well as Rio Tinto, BHP, and FMG, with whom I engaged in frank conversations.

The Australian corporate representatives made it clear that they were very interested in transcending the more traditional supplybased Japan-Australia trade centered on iron ore and natural gas and opening up new areas for development, such as hydrogen.

You would certainly be aware of the role that Western Australian iron ore and natural gas have played in supporting the Japanese economy. At the same time, when one sees the power of the abundant wealth brought about by natural resources reflected in the streets of Perth, in the soaring head offices of major corporations that are second to none of the office buildings found in Tokyo and the art collections of individual entrepreneurs, it takes your breath away.

When I saw the sign for the Inpex Corporation, which is responsible for administering the US$4 billion mega Ichthys LNG project, from the street in Perth’s business district, I admit to having felt an enormous sense of pride.

In the midst of the response to issues involving climate change and a reality that will see carbon emissions reduced to zero by 2050, I have great expectations for the creation of a ‘plan for the future’ brimming with ambition. By combining the vitality of Australian corporations, with their intention to develop industries that transcend the ages, with the world-renowned technical and capital strengths of Japanese corporations, who’s to say that this will not result in even closer economic ties between Japan and Australia?

And so, here’s to the ever-beautiful city of Perth.

I thus made my way back to Canberra, all the while thinking that I will visit you again as often as I can.

YAMAGAMI Shingo – Ambassador of Japan to Australia

YAMAGAMI Shingo
Upon graduating from the University of Tokyo, he joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan in 1984. He also studied at the Graduate School of Columbia University. His overseas assignment includes Washington D.C., Hong Kong, Geneva and London. After being seconded to the National Police Agency and the Japan Institute of International Affairs, he assumed the role of Director-General of the Intelligence and Analysis Service and then Director-General of the Economic Affairs Bureau. In December 2020, he was dispatched to Canberra as Ambassador to Australia.