Australia-Japan Foundation

Australia-Japan Foundation The Australia-Japan Foundation (AJF) was established by the Australian Government in 1976

The Australia-Japan Foundation (AJF) is Australia's oldest cultural council supporting people-to-people links underpinning this key bilateral and regional relationship. Established by the Australian Government in 1976, the AJF aims to:

- increase awareness and understanding in Japan of shared interests with Australia
- increase awareness and understanding in Australia of the importance of Japan t

o Australia as an economic and strategic partner
- increase recognition in Japan of Australian excellence and expertise. Eminent Australians, appointed to the AJF board, provide a range of expertise and input to Australia's foreign policy and economic diplomacy priorities through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The AJF has its headquarters in Canberra and is supported by the Australian Embassy in Tokyo. AJF provides grants for projects that help promote people-to-people engagement between Australians and Japanese across a diverse range of sectors: the arts, education, science and technology, sport, local government, community groups and more. To find out what AJF's current priority areas are, see the AJF Strategy 2025-2030 at: https://www.dfat.gov.au/people-to-people/foundations-councils-institutes/australia-japan-foundation/governance/australia-japan-foundation-strategy-2025-2030

Thank you, Wendy.The AJF’s July Board meeting was Wendy Holdenson’s last after six years of dedicated service on the Aus...
01/09/2026

Thank you, Wendy.

The AJF’s July Board meeting was Wendy Holdenson’s last after six years of dedicated service on the Australia–Japan Foundation Board.

The meeting provided a fitting opportunity to reflect on Wendy’s contribution, her commitment to strengthening connections between Australia and Japan, and her characteristic optimism about the future of the relationship.

We thank Wendy for the energy, insight and warmth she has brought to the AJF and wish her every success for the future.

先日シドニーで開催された豪日交流基金理事会は、6年間にわたり理事として尽力されたウェンディ・ホールデンソン理事にとって最後の理事会となりました。オーストラリアと日本のつながりを深めるための多大なご貢献と、未来に向けた前向きな姿勢に、心より感謝申し上げます。

AJFにもたらしてくださった熱意、知見、そして温かさに感謝するとともに、今後のさらなるご活躍をお祈りしています。

#日豪50周年

One of the highlights of the recent Australia-Japan Foundation Board meeting in Sydney was the opportunity to hear direc...
20/08/2026

One of the highlights of the recent Australia-Japan Foundation Board meeting in Sydney was the opportunity to hear directly from current and recent AJF grant recipients.
From education and research to culture, business and community partnerships, these projects are strengthening the Australia–Japan relationship in practical and lasting ways.
Thank you to our grantees for sharing your experiences, insights and achievements. We look forward to seeing your projects continue to grow and create new connections between our two countries.
#日豪50周年

The Australia-Japan Foundation Board was delighted to meet with representatives of the Japan Foundation during its recen...
13/08/2026

The Australia-Japan Foundation Board was delighted to meet with representatives of the Japan Foundation during its recent visit to Sydney.
For more than five decades, the Japan Foundation has played a leading role in promoting Japanese culture, language and intellectual exchange around the world. Its work has helped deepen understanding of Japan across continents and generations, creating lasting connections between people and institutions.
The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss current programs, explore areas of shared interest and reaffirm the importance of cultural diplomacy in strengthening international relationships.
The Australia-Japan Foundation greatly values the Japan Foundation’s contribution to Australia-Japan relations and looks forward to continued collaboration in support of cultural exchange, mutual understanding and new opportunities for engagement.
Strong partnerships have underpinned the success of the Australia-Japan relationship for decades, and we are excited about what the future holds.
#日豪50周年

During its recent Sydney meeting, the Australia-Japan Foundation Board was pleased to visit the Consulate-General of Jap...
11/08/2026

During its recent Sydney meeting, the Australia-Japan Foundation Board was pleased to visit the Consulate-General of Japan in Sydney for a productive and engaging courtesy call.

The visit provided an opportunity to mark the 50th anniversary of the Australia-Japan Basic Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation and the Australia-Japan Foundation, while also exchanging updates on current activities and priorities across the Australia-Japan relationship.

Discussions highlighted the depth and breadth of contemporary bilateral cooperation, as well as the importance of continued people-to-people, cultural, educational and business connections between our two countries.

The Foundation greatly values its close relationship with Japan’s diplomatic representatives in Australia and looks forward to continuing to work together to strengthen understanding, cooperation and friendship between Australia and Japan.



先日のシドニーでの理事会開催にあわせ、豪日交流基金（AJF）理事たちが在シドニー日本国総領事館を表敬訪問しました。本年は日豪友好協力基本条約署名50周年にあたり、お互いの活動や取組について紹介するとともに、日豪関係における現在の重要な分野について意見交換を行う貴重な機会となりました。

今日の日豪関係が幅広く深い協力関係の上に成り立っていることが改めて確認されるとともに、人的交流、文化、教育、ビジネスなど多岐にわたる分野でのつながりの重要性についても話し合われました。

AJFは、在オーストラリアの日本大使館および各総領事館との関係を大切にし、今後も相互理解、協力、そして日豪両国の友好関係のさらなる発展に向けて、引き続き連携していくことを楽しみにしています。







#日豪50周年

Proud to support the Next Wave Australia–Japan Lifesaving Exchange Program through an Australia-Japan Foundation grant. ...
06/08/2026

Proud to support the Next Wave Australia–Japan Lifesaving Exchange Program through an Australia-Japan Foundation grant.

Delivered by the Japan Lifesaving Association 日本ライフセービング協会 and Surf Life Saving Australia, the program brings together emerging lifesaving leaders from both countries to build skills, share knowledge and strengthen Australia–Japan connections.

Earlier this year, Japanese lifesavers visited Australia. Now, during Japan’s summer beach season, four young Australian leaders visited Japan to learn from their Japanese counterparts.

The group visited the Australian Embassy in Tokyo, where they met with our colleagues to discuss the importance of international exchange and cooperation in lifesaving.

The Australia-Japan Foundation Board met in Sydney from 22–24 July, bringing together Board members and Secretariat staf...
03/08/2026

The Australia-Japan Foundation Board met in Sydney from 22–24 July, bringing together Board members and Secretariat staff to reflect on a significant milestone year for Australia-Japan relations.

As Australia and Japan mark the 50th anniversary of the Australia-Japan Basic Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation and the Australia-Japan Foundation celebrates five decades of fostering people-to-people links, the Board took the opportunity to reflect on the remarkable achievements of the bilateral relationship and the Foundation’s contribution to it.

The meeting also focused on the future, with discussions covering upcoming programs, partnerships and opportunities to strengthen Australia-Japan engagement in the years ahead.

It was particularly valuable to bring Board members together in person to exchange ideas, build connections and continue shaping the Foundation’s work at this important moment in the bilateral relationship. Of course, we shared a few laughs along the way.

The Australia-Japan Foundation looks forward to supporting new initiatives and partnerships that will further strengthen the enduring friendship between Australia and Japan.

7月22日から24日にかけて、シドニーにて豪日交流基金（AJF）理事会が開催されました。


今年は、日豪友好協力基本条約署名50周年、そしてAJF設立50周年という節目の年にあたり、理事たちにとって、これまで築かれてきた日豪関係の歩みとAJFの貢献を振り返る貴重な機会となりました。

理事会では、今後の日豪交流をさらに発展させるためのプログラムやパートナーシップ、そして新たな協力の機会について活発な議論が行われました。

理事たちが一堂に会し、アイデアを交換しながら交流を深めることで、人と人とのつながりこそがAJFの活動の基盤であることを改めて実感する機会となりました。

時折、冗談も交えながら、終始和やかな雰囲気の中で有意義な時間を過ごしました。

AJFは今後も、新たなイニシアティブやパートナーシップを支援し、長年にわたり培われてきた日豪の友好関係をさらに発展させていくことを楽しみにしています。



#日豪50周年

What an extraordinary evening celebrating 50 years of the Australia-Japan Basic Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation (th...
16/07/2026

What an extraordinary evening celebrating 50 years of the Australia-Japan Basic Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation (the “NARA Treaty”).

The 50th Anniversary Gala Dinner brought together leaders from government, business, academia, culture and civil society to reflect on the achievements of one of Australia’s most successful and enduring bilateral relationships.

Throughout the evening, speakers highlighted the vision and commitment that have underpinned Australia-Japan cooperation since the signing of the NARA Treaty in 1976. Equally inspiring was the shared optimism for the future, with discussions focused on the next chapter of partnership between our two countries.

For the Australia-Japan Foundation, the event was a timely reminder that strong international relationships are built not only through agreements and institutions, but through decades of personal connections, cultural exchange, educational links and mutual understanding.

We extend our thanks to the organisers, speakers and guests who helped make the evening such a memorable celebration of Australia-Japan friendship.

As we mark this important anniversary year, we look forward to continuing our work with partners across both countries to support new ideas, new connections and the next generation of Australia-Japan engagement.

＃日豪50周年

今週のご紹介｜日豪交流を支える人たちの物語🇦🇺🇯🇵オーストラリアの動物を数多く飼育する埼玉県こども動物自然公園。同園の元園長・田中理恵子さんにインタビューしました。日本で唯一、「世界一幸せな動物」とも呼ばれるクオッカを飼育する同園。オースト...
10/07/2026

今週のご紹介｜日豪交流を支える人たちの物語🇦🇺🇯🇵
オーストラリアの動物を数多く飼育する埼玉県こども動物自然公園。
同園の元園長・田中理恵子さんにインタビューしました。
日本で唯一、「世界一幸せな動物」とも呼ばれるクオッカを飼育する同園。
オーストラリアから学ぶ自然や動物との向き合い方についてお話を伺いました。

記事を読む：https://japan.embassy.gov.au/tkyojapanese/Saitama-Children-zoo.html

Feature Friday | Real Stories. Real Connections 🇦🇺🇯🇵
We spoke with Ms Rieko Tanaka, former Director of the Saitama Children’s Zoo, home to a wide range of Australian animals. Did you know - the zoo is the only place in Japan where you can see quokkas!
She shares insights on what Japan can learn from Australia about living alongside wildlife and the natural environment.

Read the article: https://japan.embassy.gov.au/tkyo/Saitama-Children-zoo.html

在日オーストラリア大使館 Australian Embassy in Japan 埼玉県こども動物自然公園

Five decades of leadership, friendship and collaboration.At Tuesday night’s 50th Anniversary Gala Dinner, current and fo...
03/07/2026

Five decades of leadership, friendship and collaboration.

At Tuesday night’s 50th Anniversary Gala Dinner, current and former Australia-Japan Foundation (AJF) Board members came together for a special group photo, celebrating the enduring partnership that has helped shape Australia–Japan relations over the past 50 years.

Established in 1976 in the same year as the Basic Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation, the AJF has brought together generations of leaders from business, academia, government, the arts and the community to strengthen understanding and cooperation between our two countries.

This gathering was a fitting tribute to the many Board members - past and present - whose vision, commitment and service have helped build one of Australia’s most important bilateral relationships.

Here’s to the next 50 years of Australia–Japan friendship.

#日豪50周年

今週のご紹介｜日豪交流を支える人たちの物語🇦🇺🇯🇵オーストラリア人ジャズミュージシャン、マーティ・ホロベックさんとマーティ・ヒックスさん。日本を拠点に活動するお二人は、日本人ミュージションとのコラボから、東北での震災復興活動にも参加するなど...
03/07/2026

今週のご紹介｜日豪交流を支える人たちの物語🇦🇺🇯🇵
オーストラリア人ジャズミュージシャン、マーティ・ホロベックさんとマーティ・ヒックスさん。
日本を拠点に活動するお二人は、日本人ミュージションとのコラボから、東北での震災復興活動にも参加するなど、多方面で活躍されています。
記事を読む：https://japan.embassy.gov.au/tkyojapanese/martyhicks-martyholoubek.html

Feature Friday | Real Stories. Real Connections 🇦🇺🇯🇵
Marty Hicks and Marty Holoubek reflect on their careers as Australian jazz musicians and the meaningful mark they’ve left on Japan’s vibrant music culture

Read the article: https://japan.embassy.gov.au/tkyo/martyhicks-martyholoubek.html

在日オーストラリア大使館 Australian Embassy in Japan

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RG Casey Building, John McEwen Crescent
Canberra, ACT
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