What's New
English Rakugo returns to Australia!
Rakugo performer Katsura Asakichi has been performing in English since 2000 and will tour Australia in March and April to regale audiences with the Japanese art of 'sit-down' comedy.
More information available here (html): link
Visit to Australia by Foreign Minister Okada (20–21/02/10)
Outline
Foreign Minister Okada visited Australia on the 20th and 21st of February. On the 20th, he had meetings with The Hon. John Faulkner, Minister for Defence, and The Hon. Kevin Rudd, Prime Minister of Australia in Sydney. On the 21st, Foreign Minister Okada had a meeting with The Hon. Stephen Smith, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Australia in Perth.
A summary of the visit can be found here (html): link
Joint Statement by Foreign Minister Okada and Foreign Minister Smith on Nuclear Non-Proliferation
“Toward a World without Nuclear Weapons”
Foreign Minister Okada and Foreign Minister Smith made a joint statement on Nuclear Non-Proliferation during Mr. Okada’s visit to Australia 20-21 Feb 2010. They shared their intention to deepen cooperation between the two countries in the field of nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation.
The full statement is available here (PDF): link
Sabotage against Japanese Research Whaling Vessels by Sea Shepherd on 6th February 2010
The Bob Barker, a Sea Shepherd anti-whaling sabotage vessel, collided with the Yushin-Maru No.3 at approximately 15:00 (AEDT), 6 February 2010. It happened after it attempted to disrupt, from the morning of the same day, the Nisshin-Maru, a Japanese research vessel conducting research whaling in the Antarctic Ocean.
A full statement is available here (PDF): link
Invitation Programme for FUTURE BUSINESS COUNTERPARTS from Australia 2010
The Invitation Programme for Future Business Counterparts from Australia is an invitation programme, through which young professionals from Australia, who will assume greater responsibilities in the coming years and are interested in strengthening economic relations with Japan, will visit and experience Japan and its society, culture, as well as its people. The aim of this unique programme is for young professionals from Australia to increase their understanding of Japan through lectures on Japan's business trends, its major industries and the bilateral relationship, and through discussions with young Japanese professionals. The Invitation Programme will be held from 19 May to 29 May 2010 in Japan.
Application deadline is 5 March 2010.
More detailed information can be found here (PDF): link
Application Form (XLS): link
Letter of Permission (PDF): link
[EVENT] The Embassy of Japan proudly presents Ghibli Animation Classics by Hayao Miyazaki (25-27/02/10)
From 25 Feb to 27 Feb The Embassy of Japan will be presenting three Hayao Miyazaki films (Nausicaa Valley of the Wind, Kiki's Delivery Service and Howl's Moving Castle) at the National Library of Australia. Admission is free, and no booking if required. Enquiries: 02 6272 7269.
For detailed information, please download this paphlet (PDF): link
FEALAC (Forum for East Asia-Latin America Cooperation) Fourth Ministerial Meeting (16-17/01/10)
The Foreign Ministers of the member countries of the Forum for
East Asia – Latin America Cooperation (FEALAC), met in Tokyo, on 16th
and 17th of January, 2010, to strengthen the links between the two
regions and broaden the areas of our cooperation. On this occasion, we
welcomed the admission of Mongolia as a new member of the Forum. Recalling the achievements of the previous three Foreign Ministers’
Meetings, we unanimously adopted the Tokyo Declaration.
More information can be found here (www): link
13th Japan Media Arts Festival (03/02/10 - 14/02/10)
The 13th Japan Media Arts Festival will be held from Wednesday 03 February 2010 until Sunday 14 February 2010 at the National Art Center in Tokyo (Roppongi).
More information is available here (www): link
Sabotage against Japanese Research Whaling Vessels by Sea Shepherd
The Ady Gil, a New Zealand-registered anti-whaling sabotage vessel, collided with the Shonan-Maru No.2 at approximately 14:30 (AEDT), 6 January 2010. It happened after the Sea Shepherd anti-whaling activist group attempted to disrupt, from approximately 13:00 (AEDT) on the same day, Japanese research vessels conducting research whaling in the Antarctic Ocean.
Read the complete statement here (pdf): link
STATEMENT BY H.E. DR. YUKIO HATOYAMA, PRIME MINISTER OF JAPAN, at the Informal High-level Event, the Fifteenth Session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (18/12/09)
Read the full statement here: link
Japan-Australia Prime Ministers Meeting (15/12/09)
Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama met with Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd on 15 December to discuss nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, security cooperation, economic partnership, whaling and climate change. Following that meeting, Foreign Minister Okada visited Prime Minister Rudd at the Australian Embassy in Tokyo for further discussions.
Prime Ministers Meeting Details: link
Foreign Minister Okada and Prime Minister Rudd Meeting Details: link
International Commission on Nuclear Non-proliferation and Disarmament Report Launched in Tokyo: Towards a Nuclear Weapon Free World
Read the full media release here: link
Remarks by Prime Minister Hatoyama at the Bali Democracy Forum II (10/12/09)
Prime Minister Hatoyama spoke at the Bali Democracy Forum II on 10 December 2009. In his remarks he speaks about the trend of democratization in Asia and Japan's role in the promotion of democratic development. He also praises the ASEAN Charter "for its clear reference to the importance of universal values such as democracy and human rights."
To read the full remarks, please click here
Results of the 27th Essay Contest (07/12/09)
The 27th Australia-Japan Relations Essay Contest 2009 concluded last week.
To see the final results, please click here
Emperor's Birthday Reception (25/11/09)
In celebration of the birthday of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan and the 20th Anniversary of His Majesty's Accession to the Throne, Ambassador and Madame Kojima held a reception on the 25th of November. They welcomed 352 guests, including The Honorable Chief Justice Robert French, The Honorable Malcolm Turnbull MP, Leader of the Opposition, Major General Michael Jeffery, Former Governor General, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, Chief of Defence Force, and The Honorable Julie Bishop MP, Deputy Leader of the Opposition.
Launch of the Visit Japan Year 2010 Campaign (25/11/09)
In 2003, the Japanese government launched the Visit Japan Campaign, an inbound tourism initiative aiming to attract 10 million international visitors to Japan by 2010. As the the final goal year 2010 approaches, Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) has launched the Visit Japan 2010 Campaign and has created a dedicated campaign website providing information on Japan travel and tourism. The website which went live on November 25, 2009, also hosts a competition giving away prizes including air tickets, accommodation, theme park passes and more. Please visit the Campaign website at www.jnto.org.au/2010 and tell your family and friends to check it out too!
Speech by Ambassador Kojima at the "IN THE ZONE" Conference (09/11/09)
Ambassador Kojima spoke at the inaugural international public policy conference, IN THE ZONE, organized by the University of Western Australia on the 9th of November.
Read the speech in its entirety here (pdf): link
13TH JAPANESE FILM FESTIVAL (18-22/11/09)
The Japanese Film Festival will bring a rhapsody of Japanese film to Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane, Canberra and Hobart. Please check the website for more details on dates and venues in each city: link
Japan Foundation Media Release (PDF): link
Address by H.E. Dr. Yukio Hatoyama, Prime Minister of Japan (15/11/2009)
Shortly after the conclusion of the APEC Leaders' Summit in Singapore, Prime Minister Yukio Hatomyama delivered a speech entitled Japan's New Commitment to Asia Toward the Realization of an East Asian Community.
Read the speech in its entirety here (www): link
East meets West Concert (14/11/09)
A string quartet with Australian Chamber Orchestra performers Aiko Goto, Helena Rathbone,Christopher Moore and Timo-Veikko Valve, will play at the Embassy of Japan on 14 November 2009 (Saturday) at 2PM. The program will include Rachel Gaudry’s prize winning composition “Canberra”, which won the Canberra University’s national composition competition in October 2008.
More information and ticket information (PDF): link
Japan Foreign Minister's Commendations 2009 (13/10/09)
The presentation ceremony for Commendations given to Australian citizens and organisations took place at the official residence of the Japanese Ambassador in Canberra. On behalf of the Foreign Minister of Japan, Ambassador Kojima conferred official awards on Mr Shunichi Ikeda and the Canberra Nara Sister City Committee to acknowledge their contributions to the promotion of mutual understanding and friendship between Japan and Australia.
More about the ceremony here
Address by H.E. Ambassasor Takaaki Kojima on the occasion of the launch of the report “Australia and Japan beyond the Mainstream” (02/10/09)
Full speech available here
Japan-Australia Prime Ministers' Meeting (23/09/09)
Summary available here
Japan-Australia Foreign Ministers' Meeting (22/09/09)
Summary available here
The Fourth Ministerial Meeting of the Trilateral Strategic Dialogue (21/09/09)
Summary available here
Canberra Nara Candle Festival 26 Sept 2009
The Embassy of Japan, in cooperation with the ACT Government and the Canberra Nara Sister City Committee, is sponsoring the Canberra Nara Candle Festival on 26 Sept 2009.
For more information, please click here
Statement by Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama at the United Nations Summit on Climate Change (23/09/09)
Statement in English (PDF) | Statement in Japanese (PDF)
2009 Invitation Programme for Japanese-Learning Students at Australian Universities (08/09/09)
General Information (PDF) | Entry Form (XLS)
Letter of Permission (PDF) | Letter of Medical Consent (PDF)
Summary of the 9th Round of Negotiations on the Japan-Australia Economic Partnership Agreement (31/07/09)
For further information, please click here.
Summary of the 9th Round of Negotiations on the Japan-Australia Economic Partnership Agreement (31/07/09)
For further information, please click here.
Positions Vacant at Embassy of Japan (24/07/09)
For further information, please click here.
Ship for World Youth - SWY 22 (17/07/09)
Application open now, please click here.
The Conference of the Japanese Studies Association of Australia (JSAA) and International Conference on Japanese Language Education(ICJLE) 2009 (14/07/09)
For Ambassador's full speech information, please click here.
Japan-Australia Summit Meeting Summary (10/07/09)
For summary, please click here.
G8 Summit 2009 in L'Aquila (07/07/09)
For full speach, please click here.
Declaration of Safe Travel to Japan (26/06/09)
For full speach, please click here.
Speech by Ambassador Kojima at Japan Forum by Asialink and PricewaterhouseCoopers (22/06/09)
For full speach, please click here.
For the detais, please click here.
Press Releease - Invitation Programme for Future Business Counterparts from Australian 2009 (18/06/09)
For full statement please click here.
North Korean Nuclear Issue (27/05/09)
For the details, please click here.
Fifth Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (22-23/05/09)
For the details, please click here.
Speech by Prime Minister Aso "Overcoming the Economic Crisis to Rekindle a Rapidly Developing Asia" (21/05/09)
For the details, please click here.
Statement by Mr Hirofumi Nakasone, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan - "11 Benchmarks for Global Nuclear Disarmament" (27/04/09)
For the details, please click here.
Pakistan Donors Conference/Friends of Pakistan Meeting (17/04/09)
For the details, please click here.
Speech by Mr Taro Aso, Prime Minister of Japan, "Japan's Future Development Strategy and Growth Initiative towards Doubling the Size of Asia's Economy" at Japan National Press Club on 9 April (16/04/09)
For full speech, please click here.
North Korea's Missile Launch (06/04/09)
For the details, please click here.
Japanese Film Night at Arc Theatre of National Film and Sound Archive - Wednesday, 18th March 7.00 pm - "Hula Girls" (05/03/09)
Best Film, Best Director, Best supporting Actress and Best Screenplay awards winning film in 2007 of the Japanese Academy. (Comedy/Drama)
For the Official website, please click here.
For the e-flyer, please click here.
Press Releease - Visit of Special Envoys of the Prime Minister of Japan to Australia (25/02/09)
On 24 February, Special Envoys of the Prime Minister of Japan, Mr. Masakazu TOYODA and Ambassador Yoshinori KATORI, who visited Canberra from 23 to 25 February, met with Stephen Smith, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Wayne Swan, Treasurer, and Simon Crean, Minister for Trade, and exchanged views on the appropriate policy to pursue in order to promote economic growth and development in Asia in light of the current global financial and economic crisis.
For full statement in English, please click here.
In Japanese, please click here.
2009 Invitation Programme for FUTURE BUSINESS COUNTERPARTS from Australia
(25/02/09)
The Invitation Programme for Future Business Counterparts from Australia is an invitation programme, through which young professionals from Australia, who will assume greater responsibilities in the coming years and are interested in strengthening economic relations with Japan, would visit and experience Japan and its society, culture, as well as its people. The aim of this unique programme is to invite young professionals from Australia to increase their understanding of Japan through lectures on Japan's business trends, its major industries, the bilateral relationship, and through discussions with young Japanese professionals. Global environmental protection measures taken by Japanese corporations will be covered in a cross-sectoral manner as well. This Invitation Programme will be held from June 24 to July 4, 2009 in Japan.
For full General Infromation, please click here.
Application Form (Excel)
Letter of Permission (Word)
Press Release - Message of condolence from His Majesty the Emperor of Japan (13/02/09)
For full statement please click here
Donations from Japanese soccer fans for the bushfires in Victoria (11/02/09)
On 11 February, 2009, the Japan Football Association (JFA) collected donations for the devastating bushfires in Victoria, at the Japan versus Australia FIFA World Cup final round qualifier, which was played in Yokohama, Japan. A silent tribute was observed before the match.
Donations are scheduled to be sent to the Football Federation Australia by the JFA.
Press Release - Bushfires in Victoria (10/02/09)
Messages of sympathy on the bushfires in Victoria, Australia, were delivered by Taro Aso, Prime Minister of Japan to Mr. Kevin Rudd, Prime Minister of Australia and... click here
Lecture by Japanese Architect - Mr Paul Noritaka Tange (04/02/2009)
Mr Paul Noritaka Tange, Architect and President of Tange Associates, and leading architect, speaks about significant 20th-centrury architect, his father, Mr Kenzo Tange's lasting impact on modern architecture. The lecture will discuss the works of Kenzo Tange and his influence on modern Japanese architecture.
For e-flyer, please click here.
World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2009 (03/02/2009)
Special Address by H.E. Mr Taro Aso, Prime Minister of Japan on the occasion of the Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum "My Prescriptions for Reviving the World Economy".
Please click here.
Statement by Prime Minister Taro Aso on the inauguration of President Obama as President of the United States of America (21/01/2009)
For full statement, please click here.
Press Release - Japanese Foreign Minister's Commendations (21/01/09)
On Thursday, 22 January 2009, a Foreign Minister’s Commendation Ceremony will take place at the official residence of Ambassador Kojima where, on behalf of the Foreign Minister of Japan, he will confer official awards on two distinguished Japanese nationals and one community organisation in Australia to acknowledge their contributions... (more information)
Photo 1 - Mrs Blair and her daughter with Ambassador Kojima and his wife -> click here
Photo 2 - Mrs Swen and her husband with Ambassador Kojima and his wife -> click here
Photo 3 - CJC Members with Ambassador Kojima and his wife -> click here
Positions Vacant at Embassy of Japan
- The Embassy of Japan is seeking a responsible, diligent person to undertake building maintenance.
For further information, please click here.