The size of the operations of the trading companies – the sogo shosha – gives an idea of their immense contribution to trade between Australia and Japan. As the study notes, in 1995 the combined turnover of the nine sogo shosha in Australia was over $22 billion, or 4.7 per cent of Australia’s GDP. Their exports at around $16 billion were equal to 17.3 per cent of the Australian total, and six of the nine sogo shosha rank in the BRW/EFIC list of top Australian exporters.

It is because of this importance in expediting Australian trade that the pattern of activity of the sogo shosha in Australia relative to those in other countries – both now and potentially – is of key interest. And the work of the Instate authors raises central questions, such as why the sogo shosha in Australia do not appear to be following the same transformation processes as in other countries. – p.v

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AJBCC Listings

Australia Japan Business Co-operation Committee

Japanese Trading Companies: Their Role in Australia’s Economic Development

Japanese Trading Companies: Their Role in Australia’s Economic Development

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