Archive
Ambassador Yamagami
Ambassador's First Message
My name is YAMAGAMI Shingo. I assumed the post of Ambassador of Japan to Australia in December of last year. Prior to coming to Canberra, I worked in Tokyo and Mito, Ibaraki Prefecture as well as overseas in the United States (New York, Washington), Hong Kong, Geneva, and London. Although I have visited Australia many times on business, the opportunity to take up a posting here is a long-held dream come true.
As you know, Japan and Australia share a Special Strategic Partnership based on our commitment to common values and strategic interests. We continue to build a strong relationship across many areas including economics, security and people-to-people exchange. This relationship is the result of efforts on the part of many stakeholders. I too am looking forward to working hard towards taking this important relationship to even greater heights.The beginning of 2020 saw Australia engulfed by bushfires. Soon after, both Japan and Australia came up against the global COVID-19 crisis. Even amidst these challenges, our two countries have continued to co-operate at all levels across many sectors including response to natural disasters and global pandemics.
At the Prime-Ministerial level, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison was the first world leader to call and congratulate Prime Minister Suga soon after the inauguration of the Suga Administration in September. Later in November, Prime Minister Morrison became the first world leader to pay an official visit to Prime Minister Suga in Japan. These actions speak volume of exactly how closer the Japan-Australia relationship has grown.
In 2020, Japan and Australia deepened cooperation across many areas including trade and investment, defens, and technology. It is worth mentioning that Collaboration in the field of space also deepened. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and the Australian Space Agency signed a Memorandum of Cooperation in July, providing platform for collaboration across space technology, exploration and education. In December 2020, with the assistance of the Australian Government, JAXA’s asteroid explorer ‘Hayabusa2’ successfully returned to Woomera in South Australia where a sample capsule was safely retrieved.
The COVID-19 crisis saw a temporary reduction in direct flights between Australia and Japan with just 3 flights per week between Sydney and Tokyo. Since November however, flights have increased to 8 per week. In addition, whilst taking sufficient precautions for health conditions and safety of people, I look forward to the resumption of travel and person-to-person exchange in the lead up to the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games scheduled for July and August respectively.
I hope to visit all the states and territories at the earliest opportunity, further enhance exchanges and raise Japan’s profile.
It may be a little known fact in Japan that there are over 100,000 Japanese nationals living in Australia, active in a diverse range of fields. This makes Australia the country with the third highest number of Japanese residents, after the United States (440,000 people) and China (110,000 people) with this number on the gradual increase. The Embassy of Japan will further co-operate with Australian side to help create a comfortable environment for those Japanese nationals living and working in Australia.
I look forward to working with you all to continue strengthening and expanding Japan-Australia ties across various sectors.
Media interviews/contributions
2023
21 MarchAmbassador Yamagami featured in an article by the Canberra Times on the 'An Evening with a Sake Master' event (Print)
10 March
Ambassador Yamagami's opinion piece on the 12th anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake published in the AFR (Online)
25 February
Ambassador Yamagami interviewed by the Canberra Times (Online)
22 February
Ambassador Yamagami's letter to the editor published in the Australian Financial Review (Online)
16 February
Ambassador Yamagami interviewed by Sky News on energy relations (Online)
15 February
Ambassador Yamagami interviewed by Sky News on security cooperation (from 22:30 and 46:30) (Online)
6 February
Ambassador Yamagami featured in an article by the Canberra Times on the Conferral of the Order of the Rising Sun on Professor Paul Dibb (Online)
20 January
Ambassador Yamagami's opinion piece published in The Australian (Print)
13 January
Ambassador Yamagami interviewed by the Sydney Morning Herald (Online: 1, 2, 3)
10 January
Ambassador Yamagami interviewed by the Australian (Online)
2022
28 DecemberAmbassador Yamagami's opinion piece published in the AFR (Online)
8 December
Ambassador Yamagami interviewed on ABC News Program, Afternoon Briefing (Video)
5 December
Ambassador Yamagami interviewed on Sky News about Japan-Australia security cooperation (Online)
2 December
Ambassador Yamagami interviewed on ABC Radio about the FIFA World Cup (from 36:40) (Online)
1 December
Ambassador Yamagami featured in an article by The Guardian on the Japan Self-Defense Forces Day Dinner (Online)
24 November
Ambassador Yamagami interviewed on ABC Radio about the FIFA World Cup (from 2:05:25) (Online)
17 November
Ambassador Yamagami featured in an article by the Canberra Times on the Japanese Film Festival (Print)
14 November
Ambassador Yamagami featured in an article by ABC News on the G20 Summit (Print)
Ambassador Yamagami interviewed on Sky News about Japan-Australia security cooperation (Video)
11 November
Ambassador Yamagami interviewed on ABC News program, Afternoon Briefing (Video)
Ambassador Yamagami featured in an article by ABC News on pearl divers (Print)
24 October
Ambassador Yamagami interviewed by ABC News program, Afternoon Briefing on Prime Minister Kishida's Visit (Online)
20 October
Ambassador Yamagami featured in an article in The Guardian on Prime Minister Kishida's Visit (Online)
19 October
Ambassador Yamagami featured in an article by The Australian Financial Review on Prime Minister Kishida's Visit (Print)
Ambassador Yamagami featured in an article by The Australian on Prime Minister Kishida's Visit (Print)
Ambassador Yamagami featured in an article by The Sydney Morning Herald on Prime Minister Kishida's Visit (Print)
26 September
Ambassador Yamagami featured in an article in The Canberra Times about the Spring Reception (Print)
16 September
Ambassador Yamagami's opinion piece published in The Australia (Print)
9 September
Ambassador Yamagami interviewed by Sky News on the Japan-Australia trade relationship (Online)
7 September
Ambassador Yamagami interviewed by ABC Radio Canberra on magpies (Audio)
2 September
Ambassador Yamagami interviewed by 2GB Radio on magpies (Online)
30 August
Ambassador Yamagami featured in an article by the Canberra Times on magpies (Print)
29 August
Ambassador Yamagami featured in an article by The Australian on magpies (Online)
28 August
Ambassador Yamagami featured in an article by Yahoo! News on magpies (Online)
26 August
Ambassador Yamagami interviewed by ABC Radio Kimberley on Japan-Broome relations (Online)
15 August
Ambassador Yamagami interviewed by ABC program, China Tonight, on the situation in East Asia (Online)
11 August
Ambassador Yamagami quoted in The Australian on the situation in East Asia (Print)
11 August
Ambassador Yamagami interviewed by AFR on the situation in East Asia (Online)
11 August
Ambassador Yamagami interviewed by Sydney Morning Herald on the situation in East Asia (Onlline)
11 August
Ambassador Yamagami interviewed by Channel 9 program, Nine News on the situation in East Asia (Online)
10 August
Ambassador Yamagami interviewed by ABC News program, Afternoon Breifing on the situation in East Asia (Online)
10 August
Ambassador Yamagami interviewed by Sky News program, Afternoon Agenda on the situation in East Asia (Online)
14 July
Ambassador Yamagami interviewed by Sky News on the conferment of the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun on former Prime Minister Tony Abbott (Video)
12 July
Ambassador Yamagami interviewed by the Canberra Times on the passing of former Japanese Prime Minister ABE Shinzo (Print)
12 July
Ambassador Yamagami interviewed by ABC Radio on the passing of former Japanese Prime Minister ABE Shinzo (Online)
11 July
Ambassador Yamagami interviewed by ABC News program, Afternoon Briefing on the passing of former Japanese Prime Minister ABE Shinzo (Video)
11 July
Ambassador Yamagami interviewed by Sky News program, Outsiders on the passing of former Japanese Prime Minister ABE Shinzo (Video)
25 April
Ambassador Yamagami interviewed by The Examiner (Print)
8 April
Ambassador Yamagami interviewed by The Cairns Post (Print)
11 March
Ambassador Yamagami interviewed on Between The Lines: ABC Radio National (Online)
21 February
Ambassador Yamagami interviewed on Meet the Ambassador: AIIA Victoria (Online)
25 January
Ambassador Yamagami interviewed by The Japan Times (Print / Full text)
2021
17 December
Ambassador Yamagami contributed an opinion piece on the child removal issue to the Sydney Morning Herald / The Age
25 November
Ambassador Yamagami interviewed by The Age (Online)
23 November
Ambassador Yamagami interviewed by the AFR (Online)
18 November
Ambassador Yamagami interviewed regarding Taiwan on Afternoon Agenda, Sky News (Online)
12 November
Ambassador Yamagami interviewed on Policy, Guns & Money: The ASPI Podcast (Online)
12 October
Ambassador Yamagami interviewed about magpies and the life in Australia on Drive, ABC Radio Sydney (Online)
29 August
Ambassador Yamagami interviewed on Chris Smith Tonight, Sky News (Online)
22 July
Ambassador Yamagami interviewed by the Canberra Times (Print | Online)
14 July
Ambassador Yamagami's article on the Australia Japan Business Co-operation Committee (AJBCC) website (Online)
10 July
Ambassador Yamagami interviewed by the Canberra Times (Print | Online)
8 July
Ambassador Yamagami's opinion piece published in the AFR (Print | Online)
5 July
Ambassador's interview with the Australian (Print | Online)
28 June
Ambassdaor Yamagami interviewed by NICHIGO PRESS
Japanese (Print | Online ) / English (Print | Online p.8-12)
11 June
Ambassador Yamagami interviewed by 9News on the occasion of ASPI conference [0:48 - 1:06] (Video)
9 June
Nightly News 7 Tasmania's report on Tasmania's trade relationship with Japan [2:37 - 3:52] (Video)
Ambassador Yamagami interviewed by The Mercury (Online)
Ambassador Yamagami interviewed by The Examiner (Online)
Ambassador Yamagami interviewed by The Advocate (Online)
11 May
Ambassador Yamagami interviewed by the Advertiser (Print | Online)
22 April
Ambassador Yamagami interviewed by SBS (Video)
21 April
Ambassador Yamagami interviewed by Sydney Morning Herald (Online)
12 April
Ambassador Yamagami interviewed by Sky News on Matsuyama Hideki's Masters win (Video)
7 April
Ambassador Yamagami interviewed by Canberra Times (Print | Online)
Newsletter about this article by Doug Dingwall (Online)
26 March
Ambassador Yamagami interviewed by FRS - Fondation pour la recherche stratégique (Online)
10 March
Ambassador's comments at AFR Business Summit featured on Australian Financial Review (*Print | Online)
*Credit: Australian Financial Review www.afr.com
5 March
Ambassador Yamagami interviewed by the Australian (Print | Online)
25 February
Ambassador Yamagami's commentary article published on the Australian (Online)
22 February
Ambassador Yamagami interviewed by NT News (Print)
16 February
Ambassador Yamagami's visit to Cowra featured in the Cowra Guardian (*Print | Online)
*Article courtesy of the Cowra Guardian
29 January
Ambassador’s interview was published on the front page of Australian Financial Review (Print | Online)
Speeches
2023
30 March
【JPN-AUS energy relations】
Ambassador's speech at the luncheon hosted by INPEX on Australia’s role in securing a cleaner energy future (Speech)
INPEX Corporation President & CEO, Mr Ueda’s speech at the luncheon on Australia’s role in securing a cleaner energy future (Speech)
28 March
【JPN-AUS economic relations】
Perth USAsia Centre 2023 Japan Symposium (Speech)
19 March
【JPN-Cowra relations】
Rotary District 9685 Conference in Cowra (Speech)
16 March
【Cultural event】
'An Evening with a Sake Master' sake lecture & tasting event (Speech)
3 March
【Congratulatory remarks】
Conferral of the Order of the Sacred Treasure, Silver Rays to Ms Eriko Prior (Speech)
14 February
【Congratulatory remarks, JPN-AUS relations】
Emperor's Birthday Reception (Speech)
3 February
【Congratulatory remarks】
Conferral of the Order of the Rising Sun to Emeritus Professor Paul Dibb AM (Speech)
18 January
【Congratulatory remarks】
Conferral of the Minister for Foreign Affairs' Commendation to Mr Scott Fardy (Speech)
2022
14 December
【Occasional address】
University of Newcastle College of Human and Social Futures Graduation Ceremony (Speech)
3 December
【JPN-AUS sister city partnership】
Canberra-Nara Candle Festival (Speech)
30 November
【JPN-AUS defence & security】
Japan Self-Defense Forces Day Dinner (Speech)
25 November
【Congratulatory remarks】
Conferral of the Minister for Foreign Affairs' Commendation to Professor Rory Medcalf AM, Head of the National Security College at the Australian National University (Speech)
23 November
【JPN-AUS resources cooperation】
Queensland Resources Council Annual Lunch (Speech)
21 November
【JPN-AUS business partnership】
The 6th Japan-Australia Infrastructure Network Meeting (Speech)
19 November
【JPN-AUS sister city partnership】
Dubbo, NSW and Minokamo, Gifu Prefecture: 20th Anniversary of the opening of the 'Shoyoen" Sister City Garden (Speech)
16 November
【Japanese movie screening】
Opening of the 26th Japanese Film Festival and screening of the film, Dreaming of the Meridian Arc by the Japan Foundation, Sydney (Speech)
14 November
【JPN, AUKUS cooperation】
The Advancing AUKUS Conference (Speech)
8 November
【JPN-AUS economic relations】
Opening of the JBIC Sydney Office (Speech)
4 November
【JPN-AUS sports exchange】
Farewell Reception for the Australian Baseball Team (Speech)
17 October
【JPN-AUS resources cooperation】
Speech at the SPE Asia-Pacific Oil & Gas Conference and Exhibition (Speech)
24 September
【JPN-Cowra relations】
Cowra Sakura Matsuri Evening Reception (Speech)
23 September
【JPN-AUS relations】
Spring Reception (Speech)
21 September
【International Peace】
International Day of Peace Ceremony (Speech)
17 September
【JPN-AUS relations, JPN-SA relations】
NF AJS Conference Gala Dinner (Speech)
15 September
【Japanese Movie Screening】
A screening of the film, Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy by the ANU Film Group (Speech)
10 September
【Japanaroo】
Speech at the Opening Ceremony of the Bonsai Society of Sydney's Bonsai Exhibition (Speech)
Speech at the Opening Ceremony of the Matsuri Japan Festival in Chatswood (Speech)
6 September
【Japan-Australia resources cooperation】
Speech at Minerals Week 2022 hosted by the Minerals Council of Australia (Speech)
2 September
【JPN-AUS economic relations, Australia Japan Society】
Speech at the Australia Japan Society (AJS) Victoria Spring Gala Dinner (Speech)
24 August
【JPN-WA relations, JPN-AUS defence & security】
Speech at the Highgate Sub-Branch of the West Australian Branch of the Returned and Services League of Australia (Speech)
20 August
【Australia Japan Society, Congratulatory remarks】
Australia-Japan Society (ACT) Inc. 50th Anniversary Celebration Dinner (Speech)
15 August
【Commemorative service】
The Obon Ceremony on Thursday Island (Speech)
13 August
【Japan-Cairns relations】
The Cairns Japan Bon Dance Festival (Speech)
【Art Exchange, Australia Japan Society】
East Meets West Charity Concert at the Ambassador's Residence (Speech)
5 August
【Japan-Cowra relations, History】
The Cowra Breakout 78th Anniversary Commemoration Morning Tea Reception (Speech)
2 August
【JPN-AUS Security】
Remarks for the 53rd AusCSCAP Meeting: Australia-Japan Dialogue on Strategic Trends in the Indo-Pacific (Speech)
21 July
【JPN-AUS Defence & Security】
Introductory Remarks to the Launch Event for the ASPI Report “Japan’s Security Strategy” (Speech)
14 July
【Congratulatory remarks】
Conferment of the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun to the Honourable Anthony 'Tony' John Abbott (Speech)
6 July
【JPN-AUS economic relations】
The Speech at the Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Information Technology, University of Queensland (Speech)
1 July
【Energy, Hydrogen】
Rinnai Corporation Exclusive Decarbonisation Event (Speech)
30 June
【JPN-AUS economic relations】
‘Japan and Australia: A Partnership for the Future’ - Asia Link (Speech)
24 June
【Lismore-Japan relations】
Panel Discussion at Southern Cross University (Speech)
14 June
【JPN-Qld relations】
The UQ Japan Reception (Speech)
14 June
【JPN-Qld relations】
The Australia-Japan Society Qld Inc and Qld Japan Chamber of Commerce & Industry Lunch (Speech)
6 May
【Memorial address】
The Commemoration Service for the 80th Anniversary of the Battle of the Coral Sea (Speech)
4 May
【Japan-Cowra relations】
The Official Kōyō Mayoral Reception (Speech)
26 April
【JPN-AUS Defence & Security】
ADI Public Policy Forum and Peter Mcdermott's, former RAAF Air Commodore, Book Launch (Speech)
19 April
【JPN-AUS Sister City Partnership】
The 40th anniversary of Adelaide-Himeji ties (Speech)
10 April
【Art Exchange】
The opening of the Paul Davis 'Under the Influence' Exhibition at the Sturt Gallery, Mittagong (Speech)
7 April
【Congratulatory remarks】
Conferment of the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star to the Honourable Warren George Entsch MP (Speech)
29 March
【Nuclear weapons】
Book launch for "Alliances, Nuclear Weapons, and Escalation: Managing Deterrence in the 21st Century" (Speech)
23 March
【JPN-AUS economic relations】
Launch of the Australia-Japan Business Council (WA) (Speech)
22 March
【JPN-AUS relations】
2022 Japan Symposium, Perth USAsia Centre (Speech/Video)
22 March
【JPN-AUS economic relations】
Dinner with Deputy Premier of Western Australia the Hon Roger Cook (Speech)
18 March
【Congratulatory remarks】
The Conferral Ceremony of Mrs Narelle Hargreaves AM, OAM (Speech)
24 February
【Cowra, Acceptance Speech】
Ambassador's acceptance speech on the occasion of the 2021 Rotary Club of Cowra Peace Award (Speech)
19 February
【Memorial address】
The 80th Anniversary of the Sinking of the USS PEARY (Speech)
18 February
【Memorial address】
The Unveiling of a Memorial Name Plaque to the Crew of the I-124 (Speech)
17 February
【JPN-AUS relations, JPN-NT relations】
The Legislative Assembly of the Northern Territory (Speech)
14 February
【Congratulatory remarks, JPN-AUS relations】
Emperor's Birthday Reception (Speech)
4 February
【Congratulatory remarks】
The Conferral Ceremony of Ms Julia Gillard AC (Speech)
2 February
【JPN-AUS economic relations】
The Australia-Japan Roundtable Dinner (Speech)
31 January
【JPN-AUS economic relations】
Business Dinner in Hunter Valley（Speech）
21 January
【Hydrogen】
Suiso Frontier Arrival Event (Speech)
2021
18 December
【Japanaroo】
Matsuri Japan Festival in Chatswood 2021 (Speech)
17 December
【Japanaroo】
Japanaroo2021 A Festive Season Concert (Speech)
14 December
【Architecture】
Conferral of the Praemium Imperiale Award on Mr Glenn Murcutt AO (Speech)
7 December
【JPN-AUS economic relations】
The Export Council of Australia's launch of Australia's International Business Survey 2021 (Speech)
2 December
【SUGIHARA Chiune】
A special screening of the film, Persona Non Grata at the Embassy of the Republic of Poland (Speech)
30 November
【Tokyo 2020 Olympic & Paralympic Games】
The Tokyo 2020 Olympic & Paralympic Games reception (Speech)
30 November
【Space】
The Southern Space Symposium (Speech | Video | Main Talking Points)
25 November
【Congratulatory remarks】
Conferral of the Minister for Foreign Affairs' Commendation to Mr Peter Jennings AM, Executive Director of the ASPI (Speech)
24 November
【Japanese Art】
The opening of the 'Golden Shells and the Gentle Mastery of Japanese Lacquer Exhibition' at the National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne (Speech)
19 November
【JPN-AUS business Partnership】
The 5th Japan-Australia Infrastructure Network Meeting (Speech)
10 November
【JPN-AUS Science and Technology Cooperation】 An opening remark at UQ-Japan Day hosted by The University of Queensland (Speech | Video)
05 November
【Sharing Your Experience of Japan Reception】
The Sharing Your Experience of Japan Reception (Speech)
13 October
【Japan Self Defense Force Day】
The Japan Self Defense Force Day(Speech | Video)
11 October
【Japan-Townsville relations】
The 125th anniversary of the establishment of Japan's first Australian diplomatic mission in Townsville(Speech | Video)
17 September
【JPN-AUS relations】
Japan-Australia relations in a post-Covid world at the Griffith Asia Institute (Speech Video)
14 September
【Regional security】
Ambassador Yamagami's speech at AIIA Brisbane Branch Panel Discussion Event
24 August
【JPN-AUS relations】
Senate Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee Official Committee Hansard
Ambassador Yamagami's Opening Statement to Senate Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee
[12:03:46 - 12:10:26](Video)
Additional Documents: Answers to Question on Notice
20 August
【JPN-AUS business Partnership for the future】
Australia Japan Business Co-operation (AJBCC) webinar (Video)
7 August
【Memorial address, expressing JPN's gratitude to AUS】
Canberra Rotary Peace Bell Ringing Ceremony
21 July
【JPN-AUS relations】
National Press Club Address (Video)
9 June
【Japan and Tasmania Trade】
Tasmanian Government Breakfast Networking Event
25 May
【JPN-AUS relations】
The Future Path for Asia: An Outside-in Perspective” Delivered to the Asia Society Policy Salon Tokyo
10 May
【JPN-AUS relations, regional security】
Speech on Japan-Australia Relations in the Indo-Pacific Region at the University of Adelaide
6 May
【Congratulatory remarks】
The Conferral Ceremony of Mr Bruce Miller AO
4 May
【JPN-AUS relations, Cowra: the spiritual home of JPN-AUS relations】
Cowra Koyo Matsuri (Autumn Festival)
21 April
【Climate change】
The premiere of the documentary film "Save the Reef ~ACT NOW~"
15 April
【JPN-AUS relations, expressing JPN's gratitude to AUS】
Reception marking the 10th Anniversary of the Great East Japan earthquake
31 March
【Congratulatory remarks】
The Conferral Ceremony of Mr John Philip McCarthy AO
25 March
【JPN-AUS relations】
Perth USAsia Centre Japan Symposium
16 March
【JPN-AUS economic relations】
JABCC－AJBCC Future Leaders Joint Business Forum
13 March
【Memorial address, expressing JPN's gratitude to AUS】
Memorial Service for the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake
12 March
【JPN-AUS energy relations】
Hydrogen Energy Supply Chain (HESC)
25 February
【Congratulatory remarks, JPN-AUS relations】
Emperor’s Birthday Reception