The turning point was the America's Cup in 1983, marking 60 years in Australia

Katsunobu Shimizu, CEO of Citizen Watches Australia (CWA). Inset: Jae Lee, Managing Director of CWA. Background photo: Happy crew of Australia II is saluted by spectators as they were towed to dock are after defeating the American 12-meter yacht Liberty in the 7th and final race of America's Cup series. Credit: Bettmann/Getty Images/SBS

Citizen Watches Australia（CWA) was established in 1965 as the first overseas office for Japan's Citizen Watch. How did it gain acceptance in Australia, where anti-Japanese sentiment still ran deep? We spoke with Katsunobu Shimizu, CEO of CWA, and Marketing Director Jae Lee.

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Next year marks the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Japan-Australia Basic Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation in 1976. To mark this occasion, we will be highlighting Japanese companies that have been operating in Australia for over 50 years.

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