Invest and Trade Western Australia (WA) showcased the long-standing Western Australia Hyogo sister-state relationship at World Expo (Expo) 2025 Osaka.

As part of International Education and Research Collaboration Week at World Expo 2025 Invest and Trade WA hosted the Hyogo Reception on 25 July 2025 to highlight achievements under the WA Hyogo sister-state relationship, including trade, investment and cultural collaboration opportunities. 

The networking-style event brought together stakeholders in the fields of international education, research collaboration and ports decarbonisation with relevant government officials in the Hyogo Prefectural and Western Australian Governments.   

Facilitated by Michael Sharp, Western Australia’s Trade and Investment Commissioner for North East Asia, the event highlighted WA’s longest running sister-state agreement ahead of the 45th anniversary of the partnership, which will be celebrated in 2026.  

Guests at the event heard from Mr Akihiro Shiomi, Director General of the Hyogo Prefectural Government’s International Affairs Bureau, and Mr Naoki Miyashita, Manager for International Education, Hyogo Prefectural Board of Education, as they presented expert overviews of the sister-state relationship and Hyogo’s education sector.

Following the formalities was an Aussie-style BBQ with the best of WA’s world-leading high-quality produce and networking that saw WA Government representatives and Hyogo Government counterparts connect and discuss shared priorities.

Published on: 04 August 2025