Some Urban and Regional Consequences of Japanese Transnational Activity in Australia

Abstract

In this paper, I address the spatial patterns of Japanese transnational corporations (TNCs) in Australia over the last two decades. It is argued that—in the context of growing economic linkages between Australia, Japan, and the Western Pacific—an understanding of TNC behaviour is essential to make sense of the subnational spatial outcomes arising from economic integration between countries. Accordingly, after discussing the history and characteristics of Japanese TNCs in Australia, I consider the spatial distribution of three elements of Japanese TNC activity—mining, manufacturing, and corporate head offices. The analysis suggests that the stronger economic linkages with Japan have indeed been associated with distinctive urban and regional change within Australia and that this is also reflected in the spatial patterns of individual Japanese TNCs. I conclude that a combination of Japanese corporate characteristics, together with the peculiarities of the Australian space economy, has led to a hierarchy of spatial impacts. This in turn emphasises a more general link between economic integration, TNC world strategies, and regional change in host countries.