Premier detects quiet optimism over Japan economy

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Updated February 23, 2009 10:59:16

Japan may be reeling under the worst economic news in 40 years, but the leader of Australia's mineral rich state of Western Australia says he detects quiet optimism.

Colin Barnett is the West Australian state premier and he's been visiting Japan, a nation to which his vast state owes a great deal. Japan has for decades been a major buyer of West Australian iron ore so now is China WA also has big reserves of natural gas which Japan is helping to develop. And Mr Barnett says there's strong Japanese interest in West Australian uranium.

Presenter: Linda Mottram
Speakers: West Australian premier Colin Barnett

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