Japanese conglomerate Hitachi set to turbocharge hi-tech jobs in Western Sydney’s newest city

Dominic Perrottet’s trade mission has landed an agreement with Japanese conglomerate Hitachi to establish a “collaborative creation” space in the new Western Sydney city of Bradfield.

Japanese mega conglomerate Hitachi is set to move into the Bradfield airport city, revolutionising the nature of jobs and businesses in Western Sydney.

The state government has agreed to finalise the first private-sector tenancy agreement with Hitachi to bring the global giant to Bradfield’s city centre and attract more advanced technology jobs in Sydney’s newest city.

Hitachi plans to establish a Kyoso (collaborative creation) Centre alongside the Advanced Manufacturing Research Facility at Bradfield in 2023.

Mr Perrottet met with high-powered Hitachi executives on Thursday after officially opening NSW’s first ever stand-alone trade office in Japan.

Dominic Perrottet (centre) with Department of Premier and Cabinet Secretary Michael Coutts-Trotter (right) and Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner, Japan, Michael Newman (left). Picture: Toby Zerna/Office of NSW Premier

Government sources described the meeting as “extremely positive,” emphasising that Hitachi’s intention to set up shop in Bradfield would turbocharge advanced manufacturing companies’ interest in establishing a presence at the aerotropolis.

“Hitachi’s participation in Western Sydney reflects our confidence in the significant growth opportunities in NSW and Australia,” Hitachi’s Regional Vice-President Kojin Nakakita said.

Mr Perrottet said Hitachi’s presence at the aerotropolis would “mean jobs and innovation in Western Sydney”.

Mr Perrottet hangs an ema board at a shrine. Picture: Toby Zerna/Office of NSW Premier

“The Kyoso concept is about collaborative research between business, education institutions and government, which aligns perfectly with the values of the AMRF (advanced manufacturing research facility) to bring industry and education providers together to test solutions to advanced manufacturing challenges and drive innovation,” he said.

The agreement came as Premier Dominic Perrottet began a 10-day trade mission to Japan, Korea and India.

Mr Perrottet officially opened the Investment NSW office in Tokyo on Thursday, alongside Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner to North Asia Michael Newman.

The opening was welcomed by Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike, who hoped the office would “serve as a new bridge between the State of NSW and Tokyo”.

Flanked by Mr Newman and NSW’s top bureaucrat Michael Coutts-Trotter, Mr Perrottet also made a ceremonial visit to the 600-year-old Hie Shrine in Akasaka, where the Premier hung a wooden plank, known as an “ema”, to signify his hopes for deeper ties between NSW and Japan.