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Australia-Japan Foundation

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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

Major Programs




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Strategic Ties for the Arts Program


AJF Funded Publications









What's New

Australia in Minami-Sanriku Recovery Market

Australians are heading to Minami-Sanriku, Miyagi Prefecture to show their support for Tohoku's recovery at the town's monthly 'recovery market'. There will be live entertainment from Australia, Australian food and wine, raffles and more. Come along for a fun day and show your support!
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OzAsia Festival

The Australia Japan Foundation is pleased to support the OzAsia Festival currently underway in Adelaide.
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'Japanese on the Move': Online life stories of Japanese Transmigrants

A collection of life stories of Japanese people in Australia will be available online from October, with five new life stories added to the site each month. These Japanese will share their experiences, contributions and the challenges they faced. Are you a Japanese transmigrant? If so, perhaps you would like to share your life experiences?
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Japan Tour: Australian Chamber of Orchestra

Stunning and stylish staging of the ACO comes back to Japan in October 2011.
Tour Schedule
7 October: Ishikawa Ongakudo (Ishikawa)
10 October: Kita Kyushu Hibiki Hall (Fukuoka)
11 October: Hakuju Hall (Tokyo)
13 October: Kioi Hall (Tokyo)
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Polyglot Theatre "We Built This City" to be presented at the Kijimuna Festa 2011

Date: 23 and 24 July 2011 11am
Venue: Okinawa Civic Centre Hall
Australia's Polyglot Theatre will present their public construction extravaganza "We Built This City" to a Japanese audience at the Kijimuna Festa 2011 in Okinawa. The interactive performance uses nothing but thousands of big cardboard boxes and the energy and ingenuity of kids and families to build a magnificent imagined city in one day.
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Isabella Acappella performed for Fukushima Evacuees

On Friday 24 June, Isabella Acappella, Southern Cross University choir performed for the people of Futaba, Fukushima at an evacuation centre in Kazo, Saitama. Their beautiful voices brought smiles to the evacuees' faces. Some people sang along to familiar tunes such as "Sukiyaki" and "Stand by Me". They presented Deputy Mayor Inoue of Futaba with the relief donations collected throughout their tour.

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2011 Isabella Acappella Friendship Tour in Japan

The Isabella Acappella Choir group of Southern Cross University visits Japan from 3 to 26 June for their seventh friendship tour of Japan. Throughout their tour, they will be performing in various goodwill concerts showing their support for the victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami.
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Australians helping Japan

Foreign Minister Rudd has launched a new website to guide the many Australians wanting to help Japan recover from the earthquake and tsunami.
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AJF Grants Round 2011-12

The 2011-12 AJF Grants Round is now closed. Applicants will be advised of the outcome of their applications by early July 2011. Any further funding rounds will be advertised on the AJF website.

Events Calendar of AJF activities

An events calendar is now available for viewing on the AJF website. This events calendar will be regularly updated with advice of and weblinks to important AJF-funded grant activities and important meetings of the AJF Board.
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Collaboration between Australian and Japanese Scientists

News roundup developed jointly by the Australian Science Media Centre (AusSMC) and the Science Media Centre in Japan (SMCJ) on a topic on which both Australian and Japanese scientists have been collaborating. The SMCJ is a Japanese organisation that has received significant financial support from the AJF.
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Report on Peacebuilding

The Strategic Research Institute for International Change in Japan has completed an AJF-funded research report entitled Peacebuilding and National Interests: Meeting the Challenge with a Model of Australia-Japanese Cooperation.
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Report on Australia-Japan Security Relations

Dr Thomas Wilkins, Centre for International Security Studies, The University of Sydney and Dr Malcolm Cook, Lowy Institute, have completed an AJF-funded report entitled The Quiet Achiever: Australia-Japan Security Relations.
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Archived News