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

	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

	Report by the Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research, Doing Business with Japan: The Perspective of Australian Companies. Findings from the Australia-Japan Business Survey 2008-09.
	2010 Crawford-Nishi Lecture, Prospects for APEC and the Australia-Japan Relationship, by Professor Kazumasa Iwata, President of the Economic and Social Research Institute of the Japanese Cabinet Office.
	Report by Dr Malcolm Cook and Mr Andrew Shearer, Lowy Institute for International Policy: Going Global: An Australia-Japan Agenda for Multilateral Cooperation, 2009
	Report by 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
	Report by Mr Andrew Cornell and Mr Manuel Panagiotopoulos, Australia and Japan: Beyond the Mainstream
	Articles by Ryebuck Media in Studies of Society and Environment, a magazine for Australian high schools

What's new

Australian Jazz Wave 2010

2 - 6 September 2010 AJF supports the participation of Australian contemporary Jazz Artist Mike Nock Trio in TOKYOJAZZ2010. Special performance available by The Mike Nock "TOKYO"BigSmallBand" joined by Japanese musicians. Come and enjoy smooth Australian jazz! >> more

Australia-Japan Foundation Grant Program

The AJF invites applications for grants of up to $15,000 for projects commencing between 30 November 2010 and 30 June 2011. Applications close on 17 September 2010. >> more

Setouchi International Art Festival Open

19 July - 31 October 2010 Australian artists to participate in "100- Day Art and Sea Adventure" Official Website >> more

Emily in Japan: Feature-length DVD by Ronin Films

Emily in Japan is the story of the making of a landmark exhibition of paintings by the Indigenous artist Emily Kame Kngwarreye which toured to Osaka and Tokyo in 2008. The DVD was produced with the generous support of the National Museum of Australia and the Australia-Japan Foundation and marketed with assistance from Screen Australia. It is available for purchase from Ronin Films, Australia. >> more

Australian Media Intern in Japan

Ms Jacqueline Breen, inaugural University of Sydney media intern in Japan writes about her experience, at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation Tokyo Bureau, on the university's blogsite, Parallax - The Life of Media Interns Abroad. >> more

Doing Business with Japan: The Perspective of Australian Companies. Findings from the Australia-Japan Business Survey 2008-09

The Australia-Japan Foundation will launch a report by the Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research, Doing Business with Japan: The Perspective of Australian Companies. Findings from the Australia-Japan Business Survey 2008-09 at a business function hosted by Asialink and Pricewaterhouse Coopers in Melbourne on 25 June 2010. >> more

ANU Centre of Excellence in Policing and Security - Virtual Classrooms

The Centre of Excellence in Policing and Security conducted a successful trial run of their virtual classroom involving ANU, Keio and Tokyo University academics and students on 13 May. A podcast of the lectures presented in the virtual classroom is now available. >> more

Artist in Residence Program 2010 at the Australia House

The Australia House was established as the first project in the history of the Echigo Tsumari Art Triennial 2009 to be created by a single country. It continues to provide a venue for artist exchange programs for Australia and Japan. Exciting new plans are coming up! >> more

ANU Centre of Excellence in Policing and Security - Virtual Classrooms

The Centre of Excellence in Policing and Security at the Australian National University, in conjunction with Keio University and Tokyo University, will use internet video conferencing to connect academics and post-graduate students enabling them to discuss regional and global security challenges. The virtual classrooms will commence in September 2010. >> more

Asialink Strategic Ties for the Arts Initiative

In the final year of the three-year Asialink Strategic Ties for the Arts Initiative, the AJF will support the 2010 Asialink arts residency program in Japan. Four Australians were selected for arts residencies in Japan. They include: Literature: Ms Briohny Doyle (Vic) and Dr Meg McKinlay (WA); Arts Management: Mr Mark Feary (Vic); Visual Arts: Ms Bic Tieu (NSW). >> more

Australia-Japan Foundation Annual Program Report 2008-09

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

Archived news 2010 The Australia New Zealand Literary Society of Japan Aussie Sparks fastpitch softball team tour Japan, 19-27 June Australian Science Teachers Visit JAXA, June/July 2010 Australia-Japan Media Art Meeting David Milroy's Windmill Baby by Rakutendan Australian Studies Association of Japan: Open Lecture Series Australian Studies Association of Japan: National Conference Mr Kazumasa Iwata delivers the 2nd Crawford-Nishi Lecture in Canberra HIJMS Ibuki - Japan's Forgotten Link to the ANZAC Legend Visiting Professor in Australian Studies at Tokyo University : Application now open Sir Neil Currie Australian Studies Awards applications Now Open CALL FOR PARTICIPANTS: 2nd International CitySwitch Workshop, Newcastle 23-27 Feb 2010 AJF Asialink Design Curatorial Project 2010-11 Funding Round Now Open Report by Dr Ryo Sahashi, 2009 Postdoctoral Fellow, Australian National University Australia Science Teachers Visit JAXA The Natural Edge Project: Australia-Japan 2010 Education Symposium for the 21st Century University of Southern Queensland Centre of Excellence in Engineered Fibre Composites: Roadshow to Japan Australian Chamber Orchestra: 2010 Niseko Music Festival Australian Chamber Orchestra: School Workshop, Kutchan Does your city have a Japanese twin? Should it? [Archived news 2009] [Archived news 2008] [Archived news 2007]