![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.jlgc.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Screenshot-2026-06-29-115002.png\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Located in the heart of Japan, Nagano Prefecture is known for its majestic mountains, rich natural environment, and distinctive local products, including apples, sake, and other regional specialties. In recent years, the prefecture has been expanding its international outreach by promoting its food, beverages, tourism, and cultural appeal to overseas audiences.<\/p>\n
As part of these efforts, Nagano Prefecture recently made its first appearance at the Perth Japan Festival and also hosted a special \u201cNagano Night\u201d event in the city. The following contribution from Nagano Prefecture introduces these initiatives and shares the prefecture\u2019s own observations on Western Australia, including the local business environment, community response, and opportunities for further engagement with Australia.\u00a0<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.jlgc.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Nagano-Pic-1.png\")
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Nagano Prefecture Makes Its Debut at the Perth Japan Festival<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0Nagano Prefecture made its first-ever appearance at the Perth Japan Festival, Western Australia\u2019s largest Japanese cultural event. This year\u2019s participation was delivered in collaboration with Japan\u2019s Ministry of Foreign Affairs as part of the 50th anniversary celebrations of Australia\u2013Japan friendship.<\/p>\n Set in a vast outdoor park in the heart of the city, the festival featured a temporary shrine and a traditional Bon Odori tower, creating an authentic Japanese atmosphere. Attendance reached a record high of approximately 27,000 visitors. Products brought over from Nagano, including apple juice and seasoned rice mixes infused with shichimi spice, sold out in no time.<\/p>\n Western Australia spans an area seven times the size of Japan yet is home to just 3.06 million people. Its capital, Perth, located on the state\u2019s western edge, is widely recognized as one of the world\u2019s most liveable cities. Driven by abundant natural resources such as iron ore and LNG, the region boasts the highest per capita GDP in Australia. The population has a relatively high proportion of residents of European descent, and the area has attracted migrants from a variety of backgrounds in recent years.<\/p>\n As of 2025, the Japanese resident population stands at 8,614. In addition, Japan\u2019s Mitsubishi Heavy Industries has secured a contract for 11 Mogami-class frigates. While the first three vessels will be built in Japan, the remaining ships are scheduled for construction in Henderson, near Perth.<\/p>\n Looking ahead, several major Japan-related projects are lined up across Western Australia. These include one of the world\u2019s largest hydrogen and ammonia initiatives led by Kawasaki Heavy Industries in partnership with Wood Energy, as well as plans for a nuclear-powered submarine base that may host visits from Japan\u2019s Self-Defense Forces.<\/p>\n However, Perth faces a growing challenge in housing supply. Demand continues to outstrip availability, pushing prices steadily upward. Despite interest rates exceeding 6%, many investors are purchasing properties outright in cash, prompting the state government to consider regulatory measures.<\/p>\n One common observation among Japanese expatriates is the limited number of Japanese restaurants. Unlike Sydney and Melbourne on the east coast, where Japanese cuisine has firmly taken off, Perth is still catching up. That said, UDON noodle restaurants in the city are gaining popularity, often attracting long queues.<\/p>\n Interestingly, the coastline around Perth is rich in marine life. Sea urchins and abalone are found in abundance, while fish such as snapper and horse mackerel can reportedly be caught in large numbers, even without bait. For many Japanese residents, heading out for an evening fishing trip to catch dinner has become part of daily life. Western Australia truly offers a bounty from the sea.<\/p>\n \u3000\u3000\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u3000\u3000\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3000<\/p>\n Nagano Night in Perth<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0Alongside the daytime Japan Festival, a two-night \u201cNagano Night\u201d event was held at a Japanese restaurant in the city. Tickets, priced at over \uff0485, sold out on the very same day.<\/p>\n Guests were treated to a full-course Japanese dining experience showcasing premium ingredients from Nagano, paired with Nagano-produced apple juice, sake, and beer, an evening that truly captured the region\u2019s flavors.\u3000\u3000<\/p>\n Highlights included English-language presentations by participating businesses from Nagano, along with a stunning 4K screening of promotional videos produced by the prefecture. The response was overwhelmingly positive, with many guests commenting on how genuinely moving and memorable the experience was.\u3000<\/p>\n We look forward to seeing the ties between Nagano Prefecture and Australia continue to grow even stronger.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Komei KONDO\u00a0 \u00a0Chief International Strategies Officer Nagano Prefecture Government\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n \ud83d\udcd2\u2710Learn more about Nagano Prefecture:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u25aaOfficial Nagano promotional video: \u25aaHighlights from \u201cNagano Night in Perth\u201d: <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Located in the heart of Japan, Nagano Prefecture is known for its majestic mountains,…<\/span><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.jlgc.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Nagano-Pic-2.png\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.jlgc.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Nagano-Pic-4.png\")
<\/p>\n
\n\u00a0 https:\/\/nagano-brand.net\/en\/<\/p>\n
\n\u00a0 https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/reel\/DWEUmzhETMt\/?igsh=MWs4dHk3dGFoeHZzeA==<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.jlgc.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Nagano-Pic-3.png\")
<\/p>\n