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Sparkling guest list at Abe's dinner

A who's who of Australian politics, business and the arts attended a dinner at Crown Perth last night in honour of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his wife Akie Abe.

Crown boss James Packer was there and Australia's wealthiest woman Gina Rinehart was expected to attend. Rio Tinto chief executive Sam Walsh was among the 250 guests invited by Prime Minister Tony Abbott and WA Premier Colin Barnett, who jointly hosted the dinner at Crown's Astral Ballroom.

Guests were selected by Mr Abbott and Mr Barnett from a wide range of business, arts, government and education organisations, as well as those with strong links to Japan.

Other guests included Fiona Stanley, Woodside chairman Michael Chaney, Wesfarmers chief executive Richard Goyder and former premier Richard Court.

From the political sphere, Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop and WA ministers Mike Nahan, John Day and Bill Marmion were expected to attend, while shadow health minister Roger Cook was representing the State Opposition.

Guests dined on some of the State's finest produce, including marron with truffles and lamb loin, and were served champagne, beer and wine from Redbank, Leeuwin Estate, Vasse Felix and Little Creatures.

Earlier, Mr Barnett and Mr Abe held a private meeting at Crown after their visit to the Pilbara, where they visited Rio Tinto's West Angelas mine site.

Mr Abe said he was delighted to visit WA, which had a deep connection with Japan.

Before the dinner, Mr Abbott and Mr Abe witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding for the establishment of a Rio Tinto Chair of Australian Japanese Studies at the University of Tokyo. It will pave the way for greater development of Australian-Japanese relations in the 21st century.