Australian PM: Japan shouldn't abandon trade pact

Australian PM Gillard's visit to Japan and the warm reception from the Emperor, the Government and your PM truly represents how much we have in common and the level of mutual respect.

Given Australia's ability to provide Japan a wide range of abundant food stocks, most Australian's cannot understand Japan's need to come down to the Southern Ocean and poach whales. It makes only a fractional contribution to the amount and variety of food Japanese consume. There is virtually no one on earth eating it. The inward looking handful of people involved are doing far more harm than good. Why bother?

Japanese are welcome to invest in food production in Australia but have always been a bit shy, partly because of Japanese Government restrictions on overseas investments by insurance companies etc., the big investors. Free it up and we will both benefit.

whales? what does that have to do with free trade?

Why even bother with a FTA with Japan, they only want things their way. Look at what they are offering it is an absolute insult. And if you think it in anyway benefits Australia you need your head read. Better off leaving things as they are and focussing on trading with friendlier nations in the region that we can actually work with.