Banking on Japan

Chinese interest in Australian property and resources may be in the spotlight, but Japan still has a significant foothold, particularly in WA.

Rare earths explorer Northern Minerals struck a 50 per cent offtake agreement with Japanese trading giant Sumitomo Corporation last December – but it was nine months before the deal was announced. The timeframe is indicative of the measured approach taken by the Japanese, according to Northern Minerals managing director George Bauk.