Japanese Investment in Australia Surges to Record Ahead of PM Takaichis Visit

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks during a news conference at the prime minister’s office in Tokyo on Dec. 17, 2025. Kiyoshi Ota/Pool/AFP via Getty ImagesJapanese investment in Australia surged to record levels last year, a new report has found ahead of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s expected visit to Australia in late April.A joint report (pdf) published by global law firm Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer and the Australian National University (ANU) found a record 77 mergers and acquisitions and 53 partnerships in 2025, contributing to $159.5 billion (US$113.7 billion) in foreign direct investment (FDI) from Japanese entities.