Moreton Bay builds closer links with Japan

City of Moreton Bay has strengthened ties with Japan ahead of the 2032 Olympics after Mayor Peter Flannery signed a new agreement with one of the economic giant’s major cities.

Mayor Flannery put pen to paper on Friday when he met with Mayor Takashi Namba of Shizuoka City, the capital of a prefecture that is a major economic hub in Japan.

Shizuoka City, with more than 33,000 businesses and generating more than $830 million in economic output over the last year, is keen to develop trade relationships in Moreton Bay,  Mayor Namba led a delegation of 39 Shizuoka business and government leaders to Moreton Bay last August.

They progressed initiatives around aquaculture, retail, food and beverage, sport, research and education collaboration and partnerships with the University of the Sunshine Coast.

The Memorandum of Understanding aims to create opportunities in trade, investment, tourism, education and research, and sport including the 2027 Women's Softball World Cup in Redcliffe and 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“This agreement is an incredible opportunity for City of Moreton Bay to deepen our relationship with Japan, which is Queensland’s second largest export market,” Mayor Flannery said.

“It will benefit businesses in Moreton Bay with Council facilitating trade relationships between them and Shizuoka City, providing a new avenue for locals to sell products and services.”

Mayor Flannery led a week-long delegation in Japan after being invited and sponsored by the Governor of Tokyo to present at their Global City Network for Sustainability (GNETS) conference.

The delegation builds on Council’s relationship with Japan, which dates back nearly 35 years when its sister city relationship with Sanyo-Onoda was established.