BHP CEO Andrew Mackenzie was joined by the Australian Ambassador to Japan, Richard Court, joint venture partners Mitsubishi Development, ITOCHU Corporation, JFE and Mitsui & Co, as well as other Australian, Japanese and British government representatives at the Australian Embassy in Tokyo today.

Mackenzie acknowledged the importance of long-term business relationships and two-way trade between BHP and Japan in building economic growth.

“Both BHP and Australia owe much to Japan for the development of the resources industry,” he said.

“Just as it was 50 years ago, Japan remains a critical market for BHP and the industry as a whole, and I am delighted to celebrate this important milestone.”

In 1967, BHP signed long-term coking coal contracts for the Blackwater mine in Queensland, while also entering into a partnership with Mitsui and ITOCHU for the Mt Whaleback iron ore mine in Western Australia.

“As trading companies they were a crucial link into Japanese markets,” Mackenzie said.

“As Japan’s economy grew the iron ore and coal we exported came back to Australia as high-quality manufactured products such as motor vehicles and Komatsu trucks and the rolling stock and rail equipment our industry relies on.

“A few years later Mitsubishi and JFE partnered in our iron ore and copper assets in Australia and Chile turning a trading relationship into a business partnership.”

Today, BHP supplies iron ore, coal, copper, nickel, uranium, LPG and LNG to Japan.

“These commodities produced by BHP and our joint venture partners have helped Japan become one of the world’s largest economies,” Mackenzie said.

“Together we have helped to create jobs and stimulate investment around the world. Our partnership with Japan is closer and stronger than ever. We look forward to partnering with Japan for decades to come.”