Australia-Japan Foundation

The Australia-Japan Foundation (AJF) was established by the Australian Government in 1976 to expand and develop contact and exchange between the peoples of Australia and Japan and to help project positive images of Australia and Japan in each other's country.

As a part of the implementation of the Australian Government's response to the Review of Corporate Governance of Statutory Authorities and Office Holders, the Australia-Japan Foundation was re-formed within the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade on 1 December 2006.

The AJF has its headquarters in Canberra and is supported by an office at the Australian Embassy in Tokyo.

Key Activities

Projects and programs supported by the Foundation help promote people-to-people engagement across a diverse range of sectors, including the arts, education, science and technology, sport, local government, community services and business.

The Foundation's annual work program focuses on activities which are aligned with its strategic objectives, which are to:

1. increase understanding in Japan of shared interests with Australia;
2. increase understanding in Australia of the importance of Japan to Australia as an economic and strategic partner; and
3. increase recognition in Japan of Australian excellence and expertise.

More information

• Strategic plan [PDF]
• Advisory Board
• Contact Us

Major programs

	2010-11 Funding Round Now Open Applications close on 19 March 2010. Application Forms and Guidelines
	Experience Australia Educational Kit Practical teaching materials for loan.
	Discover Australia On-line studying reference that introduces Australia to schools.
	Discover Eco Australia Multimedia teaching aid to introduce Australian environmental studies for schools.
	Asia Link Strategic Ties for the Arts Program

AJF Funded Publications

	Dr Ryo Sahashi, 2009, AJF Funded Postdoctoral Fellow, Australian National University Conceptualising the Three-Tier Approach to Analyse the Security Arrangements in the Asia-Pacific
	Ryebuck Media

What's new

AJF Asialink Design Curatorial Project

Three of Australia's leading craft/design curators travelled to Japan for a two week visit in late 2009. The purpose of the visit was to take part in an international design forum, meet with colleagues in Tokyo, Kyoto and Fukuoka, and view a range of current Japanese design/craft displays. >> more

Australia-Japan Foundation Annual Program Report 2008-09

The latest report provides highlights of AJF activities funded in 2008-09. >> more

2010-11 Funding Round Now Open

Applications close on 19 March 2010. >> more

Report by Dr Ryo Sahashi, 2009 Postdoctoral Fellow, Australian National University

Inaugural AJF-funded postdoctoral fellow at the Centre of Excellence in Policing and Security at the Australian National University, Dr Ryo Sahashi from the Graduate School of Public Policy, University of Tokyo, has completed a report on Conceptualising the Three-Tier Approach to Analyse the Security Arrangements in the Asia-Pacific. >> more

Australia Science Teachers Visit JAXA

Teachers from around Australia and representatives from the Victorian Space Science Education Centre and the Australian Science Teachers' Association, will visit Japan in June/July 2010 to participate in a leader's seminar at the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and visit JAXA facilities, including Space Education Center, Institute of Space and Astronautical Science, Tsukuba Space Centre and Tanegashima Space Centre. The visit will expand the collaboration between Australia and Japan to jointly develop space related curriculum materials. >> more

The Natural Edge Project: Australia-Japan 2010 Education Symposium for the 21st Century

This one day symposium on the topic of 'Knowledge and Skills for Sustainability - Addressing the Global Climate Crisis' will be held in partnership with Tokyo University, the Australian Embassy and support from the AJF in Japan on 18 February 2010 forming the first stage in a project to build collaboration between Australia and Japan to identify key areas for bilateral collaborative research to enhance academic and governmental capacity in this area. >> more

University of Southern Queensland Centre of Excellence in Engineered Fibre Composites: Roadshow to Japan

Australian engineers from the University of Southern Queensland have returned from their successful visit to Japan, demonstrating Australian expertise in the field of fibre composites in civil infrastructure and building links with Japanese counterparts and industrial partners. >> more

Australian Chamber Orchestra: 2010 Niseko Music Festival

Members of the Australian Chamber Orchestra will stage a three day festival in Niseko, Japan, on 15 - 17 January 2010. The concerts will feature performances with Japanese guest artists such as harpist, Ms Naoko Yoshino, and the Koryu Taiko Drummers. >> more

Australian Chamber Orchestra: School Workshop, Kutchan

The Australian Chamber Orchestra will conduct a school workshop in Kutchan allowing local students to experience rehearsals and performances at the highest level with the finest string players from Australia on 15 January 2010. >> more

Open Lecture: Australian Suburbia - Diversity and Homogeneity in a Globalizing Society by Australian Novelist Christos Tsiolkas

Organised by Doshisha University and Australian Studies Association of Japan, supported by Australia-Japan Foundation Supported by Australia-Japan Foundation Date: Saturday 5 Dec 13:00-16:00 Venue: Imadegawa Campus, Doshisha University Admission: Free File is Japanese only >> more

Special Open Lecture: Contemporary Indigenous Issues -Aynu and Aboriginal People-

Organised by National Museum of Ethnology and Australian Studies Association of Japan Supported by Australia-Japan Foundation Date: 28 November 2009 (Saturday) 11:00am - 5:15pm Venue: Auditorium of the National Museum of Ethnology, Osaka Admission: Free File is Japanese only >> more

Australia-Japan Civil Society Cooperation for Nuclear Disarmament: Public Forum: Speech by Gareth Evans

The Hon Gareth Evans AO QC, Co-chair, International Commission on Nuclear Non-proliferation and Disarmament, delivered a speech on The Challenge of Getting to Zero: The Role of the Australia-Japan International Commission in Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament at a public forum convened by The Nautilus Institute for Security and Sustainability at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology on 20 September 2009. The forum was part of an AJF-funded project on Australia-Japan civil society cooperation for nuclear disarmament. >> more

Australia-Japan Science Show

Date and Time: 14:10-14:50, Sunday 1st November 2009 Venue: 1F Symbol Zone, National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation, known as Miraikan in Odaiba Admission: Free (for Permanent Exhibition: adults Y 600, 18years old and under Y200) >> more

Book Launch - Interpreting Occupied Japan: the Diary of an Australian Soldier 1945-1946

Interpreting Occupied Japan: the Diary of an Australian Soldier, 1945-1946, by Basil Archer, edited and with an introduction by Associate Professor Sandra Wilson of Murdoch University, and published by Hesperian Press, will be launched at the Hyogo Prefectural Government Cultural Centre in City Beach, Western Australia on 14 October 2009. >>Attend the book launch Buy the book: The book can be ordered direct from the publisher, Hesperian Press. Address: P O Box 317, Victoria Park, 6979, Western Australia Tel 08 9362 5955 / Fax 08 9361 2333 Email books@hesperianpress.com / Website: www.hesperianpress.com

University of Southern Queensland Centre of Excellence in Engineered Fibre Composites: Roadshow to Japan

Australian engineers from the University of Southern Queensland will hold workshops on research and development in the use of fibre composites in civil infrastructure and visit key japanese research institutions in Saitama, Tokyo and Tsukuba on 14-16 December 2009. >> more

Australian Research Network on the Japanese Economy (ARNJE)

The Australian Research Network on the Japanese Economy (ARNJE) will hold a panel discussion on "Changes in the Economic Structure of Japan" at the 38th Australian Conference on Economics to be held in Adelaide on 28 September 2009. The Australia-Japan Foundation is pleased to support ARNJE - a web-based research network of Australia-based economists working on the Japanese economy. >> more

Australian Jazz Night at Tokyo Jazz Festival 2009

In what promises to be an illustrious constellation of jazz stars, the Australian Jazz Night courtesy of the Tokyo Jazz Festival is on again. >> more

Dr Ryo Sahashi Awarded Postdoctoral Fellowship at the ANU

The AJF is pleased to support the appointment of Dr Sahashi as postdoctoral fellow for the ANU Centre for Excellence in Policing and Security and AJF funded security workshops and fellowship project from July to September 2009. >> more

Second Workshop on the Australia-Japan Security Relationship (Tokyo)

The AJF is pleased to support the second workshop on the Australia-Japan Security Relationship which is jointly hosted by the Australian National University and the University of Tokyo at the University of Tokyo's Hongo campus on 21 - 22 September 2009. >> more

Australian premiere of Japanese film, Goemon : Costumes by Australian designer, Ms Tina Kalivas

Goemon is an epic fantasy film and the the first ever collaboration between a major Japanese production company and an Australian costume designer - Ms Tina Kalivas - whose fashion and costume show in Tokyo in March 2009 was proudly supported by the AJF. The Australian premiere of the film will be held in Melbourne on 5 September 2009. >> more

Superperfect - Youth Theatre Project

The Shopfront Theatre for Young People in Sydney, in collaboration with contemporary Japanese performance group Nibroll and Keio SFC University presents, Superperfect- a youth theatre project which explores what it means to be good enough, to be perfect, to measure up. Participans have combined comic-book illustration, music, web-design and dance to create a real-life and online exhibition/performance in Sydney and Yokohama. >> more

Sunshine Coast and Tatebayashi City Artist Exchange

Practical workshops and demonstrations in jewellery making, western calligraphy, hand-made books and patch working were all part of the week long artistic collaboration. Maleny artist, Noella Mills, received an AJF grant to participate in the exchange. >> more

The Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennial 'Australia House'

For the fourth Triennial, one of the world's largest international art festivals held in the Echigo-Tsumari region of Niigata Prefecture, three Australian artists will transform an abandoned Japanese-style farmhouse into an art installation called "Australia House". >> more

Australia and Japan: Beyond the Mainstream - An independent report by Mr Manuel Panagiotopoulos and Mr Andrew Cornell

The AJF is pleased to announce the publication of an independent report on the emerging complementary economic ties between Australia and Japan. The report also contains in-depth answers to questions asked in face-to-face interviews with executives of Japanese and Australian companies. Key factors for business are addressed as well as perceptions about the two markets and future opportunities. >> more

Announcement on the recipients of the 2009 Sir Neil Currie Australian Studies Awards

>> more

National Federation of Australia-Japan Societies Newsletter

The June 2009 edition of the newsletter of the National Federation of Australia-Japan Societies is now available. >> more

AJF support for the Australia-Japan Security Project

The AJF is pleased to support the Australia-Japan Security Project conducted by the Centre of Excellence in Policing and Security and the Department of International Relations at The Australian National University. >> more

Going Global: A New Australia-Japan Agenda for Multilateral Cooperation

A new report now available by Australia's Lowy Institute for International Policy Proposing six new or enhanced areas of multilateral cooperation between Australia and Japan for two nations to work closely together across numbers of complex issues in the years and decades ahead. The Executive Summary is available in Japanese >> more

Assessing the Trilateral Strategic Dialogue

The US National Bureau of Asian Research has published a series of research papers from a workshop, Emerging Australia-Japan Security Cooperation: A Catalyst for trategic Rivalry or Regional Order-Building, convened by the Department of International Relations at the Australian National University. >> more

Wearable technologies give athletes a boost

Australia-Japan Joint Research collaboration on new sports technology. Dr Daniel James at the Centre for Wireless Monitoring and Application, Griffith University and the Queensland Academy of Sport for this project. >> more

2006-2007 Annual report

2006-2007 Annual report is now available to read. >> more

Collaboration to develop statistical tools for Ecological Management

The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Australia's national science agency, and Keio University in Japan are developing statistical tools for the monitoring, modelling and management of biodiversity. Supported by AJF. >> more

The Australian Research Network on the Japanese Economy

The Australian Research Network on the Japanese Economy (ARNJE) aims to promote research on the Japanese economy, and is designed to link specialists by creating a forum for discussion of research work and by providing venues and opportunities for conferences and workshops. Supported by AJF. >> more

Does your city have a Japanese twin? Should it?

Curriculum material on Australia-Japan sister cities. Publication series on the bilateral relationship supported by AJF. >> more

Archived news Asialink Arts Residency Program Japan 2010 Postdoctoral Fellow in Regional Security Studies at ANU College of Asia and the Pacific Japanese novelist, Hitomi Kanehara, speaks at the 2009 Melbourne Writers' Festival Australia-Japan: Gloing Global The 12th World Ballet Festival in Tokyo Visiting professor in Australian Studies 2009 FCCI workshop at USQ in December 2008 Prospect High School - Tsuga Machi Junior High School Cultural Exchange Program Grants Recipients 2008 - 09 Tour of Japan by the 2008 South Australian State League Champions, the Norwood 'Bears' Volleyball Club Australian Studies Open Seminar Series at Kyoto University Australia-Japan Symposium on "Biologican Interactions with plant roots and aerial tissues" Sydney Forum 2008 - Contemporary Art in Japan and Australia. 2008 Australia-Japan Achievement Awards Ceremony Book Launch and Symposium Multicultural Australia: "Diamond Dog" [Archived news 2007]