North East Asia

Our North East Asia team provides support to South Australian companies looking to get products into the region, as well as providing guidance and support to Japanese and Korean companies looking to either invest or do business in South Australia.

The Tokyo presence, which was established in March 2019, is led by Ms Sally Townsend, Regional Director – Japan and Korea who works closely with Business Development Manager, Myungjin (MJ) Kim, based in Seoul, Korea.

Overview


The North East Asia region, incorporating Japan and Korea, is home to some of the world’s most renowned innovation and hi-tech capabilities and has some of the largest and most diversified companies, presenting opportunities in renewable energy such as hydrogen, aged care, food, beverages and wine.

The Japan-Australia Economic Partnership Agreement has been in force since 2015 with the Korea-Australia Free Trade Agreement (KAFTA) signed a year earlier. Both FTA’s provide valuable access into the region for South Australian exporters and supports two-way investment.

Sector opportunities


South Australia’s worldwide reputation for premium food, offers the North East Asia region with access to a high-quality range of seafood, including Southern Bluefin Tuna and abalone which is sold to Japan’s high-end market through speciality food stores, supermarkets and online. 

Consumers in North East Asia are keen to have fresh, clean, safe and value for money produce such as fresh fruit and vegetables. 

With a mandated zero carbon policy by 2050, Japan provides South Australian energy and mining companies with vast opportunities, and both Japan and Korea have opportunities for South Australian exporters to capitalise upon within the hydrogen space. 

South Australia’s location provides opportunities for the space industry in North East Asia to test and recover various aerospace systems, and, with the Australian Space Agency located in Adelaide, the space sector is growing rapidly and providing expert products, technology and research to worldwide partners.

Related news and insights

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About our team

Sally Townsend

Regional Director - Japan and Korea

Sally has been leading the North East Asia South Australian presence since March 2019. Sally was previously in the wine industry in Japan for over 10 years before joining the department. Through her role as Chair of the Australia and New Zealand Chamber of Commerce in Japan, she has a large network, spanning many industries.

Contact

+81 80 4188 3775 sally.townsend@austrade.gov.au

2-1-14 Mita, Minato-Ku, Tokyo, 108-8361 Japan.

Yuriko Tomita

Yuriko Tomita

Business Development Manager - Tokyo

Yuriko Tomita joined the Tokyo office in February 2024 after 10 years as the Marketing Manager for the British Council’s Tokyo office, where she contributed to driving sales revenue through various marketing activities. Prior to this, she served as a Digital Marketing Executive at Visit Britain, where she was also involved in B2B trade, connecting the UK tourism industry with Japanese businesses. Yuriko has also worked as an Asia-Pacific Business Consultant in London.

Contact

+81 70 2477 7554 Yuriko.Tomita@austrade.gov.au

2-1-14 Mita, Minato-Ku, Tokyo, 108-8361 Japan

Myungjin (MJ) Kim

Myungjin (MJ) Kim

Senior Business Development Manager – Seoul

MJ started with the South Australia Government office in Seoul in August 2020. Before that she worked for Austrade for a number of years, specialising in wine, food, agribusiness, promotion of international education and investment attraction. MJ covers all sectors of opportunity at the Seoul office.

Contact

+82 2 398 2815 myungjin.kim@austrade.gov.au

Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade), Australian Embassy, 18th Floor Kyobo Building 166 Sejongdaero Jongno-gu Seoul, 110-714 South Korea.