Aussies participate in Minami Sanriku 'Recovery Market' for second time

29 April 2012

More than 20 people from the Australian Embassy Tokyo travelled to Minami Sanriku, Miyagi Prefecture, to participate in the 13th Recovery Market event held on Sunday 29 April. This is the second time the Embassy has set up a stall at the market – Australia first participated in the event in October last year. The recovery market, which is celebrating its first anniversary, attracted a large number of visitors who took advantage of the Golden Week holidays to attend the event.

Embassy staff, and their family members and friends, sold lamingtons (sponge cakes covered in chocolate icing and coconut which were very popular last time) and piping hot baked potatoes with curry sauce, as well as Australian beer and fruit juice. Locals and visitors alike thoroughly enjoyed experiencing a little taste of Australia.

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Message from Ambassador Bruce Miller

27 April 2012

As trade negotiators from our two countries meet this week in Canberra, I am reminded that the Australia-Japan relationship is never static. It's always evolving.

Over the past 60 years, that evolution has consistently been in the direction of ever-closening, ever-strengthening ties.

For many years, our relationship was defined almost purely by trade. That trade began shortly after the opening of Japan to the outside world: the first recorded shipment of coal from Australia was delivered in 1865.

From those humble beginnings, Japan became Australia's 13th largest trading partner by 1901 – the year the Australian colonies federated and became a new nation.

Thirty years later, Japan was our third-largest trading partner. By 1966, it was first. And it stayed that way for four decades.

Beyond trade, the Australia-Japan relationship has also evolved. It has become pivotal to both countries in strategic, defence and diplomatic terms.

Together, we established the International Commission on Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament. We have a regular "2+2" Meeting of Foreign and Defence Ministers, and we have a Trilateral Strategic Dialogue with the United States. We work together closely in regional and international fora.

It is very difficult to find two countries in this region, or even the world, that share such common interests and complementarities as Australia and Japan.

It is time for our relationship to evolve further – for our trade relationship to reach an even higher level through the successful conclusion of an FTA.

When you consider that our trade relationship has expanded from a single shipment of coal to two-way trade exceeding $A65 billion (or ¥5.5 trillion) in 2010-11, it's clear that there is room for further evolution – to the benefit of both our countries.

Ambassador addresses the JABCC/AJBCC 50th Anniversary reception

29 March 2012

Ambassador Bruce Miller made remarks at a reception, attended by Deputy Prime Minister Katsuya Okada and Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Yukio Edano, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first meeting of the bilateral business committees of our chambers of commerce - the JABCC and AJBCC - in 1963.

The AJBCC is widely recognised as the most active and successful of Australia's bilateral business committee. This is appropriate given the deep ties between Australian and Japanese businesses built up over more than 50 years since the signing of the Agreement of Commerce in 1957. Both Deputy Prime Minister Okada and Minister Edano spoke warmly of their experiences with Australia and discussions with Australian Ministers. Their attendance acknowledges that our Japanese colleagues view our commercial ties with the same importance that the Australian Government and wider business community does. JABCC and Nippon Steel Chairman Akio Mimura and Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry Tadashi Okamura also spoke at the reception, attesting to the depth of these ties.

The 50th joint conference of our bilateral business committees will be held in Sydney in October this year.

Address by Ambassador Bruce Miller at the 50th Anniversary Reception Hosted by JABCC and AJBCC

Minami Sanriku schoolchildren leave for Gold Coast

23 March 2012

Twenty-four schoolchildren from three schools in Minami Sanriku, Miyagi Prefecture, will leave Japan on 24 March 2012 for Queensland's Gold Coast to experience Australian school life and take part in exchange activities.

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POW Records Transferred to Australia

19 March 2012

The Australian Embassy in Tokyo recently took possession of Japan's World War II records on Australians held as prisoners of war, a mark of the close friendship between two former foes.

The records, which include name cards and related information, have been transferred to the Australian National Archives in Canberra.

Amongst the records of particular significance are the first complete list of Australian victims of the sinking of the Montevideo Maru on 22 June 1942 near Luzon in the Philippines, a complete list of the approximately 20,000 Australian prisoners of war held by Japan in camps across the Asia-Pacific, and personal details about the 4,500 Australians detained in Japan.

Over the coming months, the National Archives will restore and digitise the records for public access, allowing family members and historians to better understand Australia's wartime experience.

Australian Firefighter speaks to local students

14 March 2012

Chief Superintendent Rob McNeil, of New South Wales Fire and Rescue, led the Australian Urban Search and Rescue Team who searched for survivors in Minami Sanriku in the aftermath of last year's earthquake and tsunami. He returned to Japan for the commemoration of the first anniversary of the disaster, and shared his experiences with a group of Tokyo Mita High School students who visited the Australian Embassy. Read the speech.

Message from Ambassador Bruce Miller

9 March 2012

I was in Australia when the Great East Japan Earthquake struck last year. Like all Australians I watched the news coverage of the catastrophic events unfolding along the long stretch of coastline in Tohoku. As we pause this month to remember the tragedy, my thoughts – and those of the Australian people – are with those who lost friends or loved ones, those whose homes and livelihoods were swept away on that day.

Like many Australians, I have a strong sense of affinity with Japan. And like many Australians, my thoughts went immediately to my friends in Japan at that most difficult of times.

I was proud to see Australia come to Japan's aid so quickly – just as Japan did not hesitate in offering assistance when we struggled with our own natural disaster, the Queensland floods, less than three months before. Almost immediately, an Urban Search and Rescue team was despatched to Minami Sanriku and a Royal Australian Air Force C-17 aircraft began transporting relief stores, food, water and personnel around Japan.

It's my strong belief that, more than trade agreements or security ties, it's the personal links between our citizens that lie at the heart of the Australia-Japan relationship. Australia often refers to Japan as our best friend in Asia. At no time has this been more apparent than in March last year, when ordinary Australians – not just the Australian Government – rushed to donate millions of dollars to Japanese charities.

Australians were impressed and inspired by the strength and resilience of the Japanese people in the face of an overwhelming disaster. That strength and resilience has not wavered in the year since – and will be needed for some time to come, as Japan and Tohoku continue on the path to recovery.

Australia has made its own contribution to this effort, and will go on doing whatever we can to help, in the spirit of the genuine, warm friendship between our two countries.

As we mark the first anniversary of this disaster, the thoughts and condolences of the Australian people are with Japan.

Minami Sanriku Schoolchildren to visit Gold Coast

9 March 2012

Twenty-four junior high school students from the town of Minami Sanriku in Miyagi Prefecture will travel to Queensland's Gold Coast in late March to experience school life in Australia – and see the sights. Each of the students wrote an essay about what they wanted to do in Australia if they had the opportunity to visit.

The students, from three schools in Minami Sanriku, will leave Japan on 24 March, returning on 1 April. In Australia they will undertake homestays, attend classes at a Gold Coast school and participate in a number of other activities.

The visit, funded by the Australia-Japan Foundation and supported by Jetstar Airways, Education Queensland International, Tourism Queensland and Club Australia, is part of Australia's ongoing assistance for Japan's recovery and its growing relationship with the town of Minami Sanriku.

That relationship began with the despatch of a 76-member Urban Search and Rescue team from Australia to Minami Sanriku to search for survivors. Prime Minister Julia Gillard then visited the town in April, meeting with its mayor and residents at a local evacuation centre. At the Mayor's request, Australia subsequently donated a sizeable food aid package to the town. In October, more than 60 staff from the Australian Embassy, their families and members of the Australian expatriate community visited Minami Sanriku to participate in the town's monthly 'recovery market'.

"What I would like to do in Australia" - Minami Sanriku School children's essays

AJF Funds Fukushima Playground

9 March 2012

The Australia-Japan Foundation has agreed to fund a kindergarten playground in Fukushima Prefecture, continuing its ongoing support for projects assisting Japan's recovery.

Over the past 12 months, the AJF has provided funding for a number of recovery projects in Tohoku, including rebuilding Australia House and Australia's participation in October at one of the 'recovery markets' held monthly in Minami Sanriku, Miyagi.

In April 2012, a new kindergarten for children from Iitate (a village evacuated due to its proximity to the Fukushima nuclear power plant) will be opened in Iino Town. The AJF will fund playground equipment for this kindergarten.

Ambassador addresses Tokyo Rotary Club

7 March 2012

Ambassador Bruce Miller addressed 300 members of the Tokyo Rotary Club, focusing on the importance of people-to-people links in the Australia-Japan relationship, the factors behind the success of the Australian economy, trade and investment. Read the speech.

14th Round of Japan-Australia FTA negotiations: February 14 - 17

5 March 2012

Last month, a delegation of 20 Australian Government officials came to Tokyo to talk further with their Japanese counterparts about deepening the economic partnership between Japan and Australia through a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) or, as they are referred to in Japan, an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA).

The size of the delegation reflected the wide range of very technical subject matter that was under discussion.

The FTA that we are negotiating would cover a very broad range of trade and investment issues between Australia and Japan, from manufactured goods such as cars and electronic products to the flow of professionals between our two countries to assurances for investors. This also includes trade in agricultural products. Such a comprehensive scope will maximise the economic benefit that both our economies will derive from the final agreement.

The technical nature of each of these topics means that the delegation was comprised of a range of experts, negotiators and lawyers who can tackle the complexity and detail of the tariffs, rules and regulations that may impede trade and investment between our two countries. Addressing this detail is the only way to secure a commercially meaningful agreement for our respective businesses. An agreement that brushes over this detail would be little more than words on paper and would fail to deliver any real economic benefits for either country.

While our negotiations were put on hold after last year's tragic events in March, Australia and Japan began holding formal negotiating rounds again in December last year. Our two countries are pursuing the potential benefits from strengthening our economic partnership through a FTA with reignited vigour and will be holding a further round of talks in April in Canberra. The Australian Government is looking forward to receiving the Japanese delegation of negotiators and experts so we can continue our discussions towards a comprehensive, high-quality FTA that delivers commercially meaningful outcomes and growth opportunities for our two countries.

Remembering Babylon published in Japan

29 February 2012

One of the masterpieces of contemporary Australian fiction, David Malouf's Remembering Babylon, is now available in Japanese.

The translation – published by Gendai Kikakushitsu Publishing with the support of the Australia-Japan Foundation – was launched at the Australian Embassy on 28 February by Australian Ambassador Bruce Miller.

Remembering Babylon is the first of a series of Australian contemporary novels to be translated and published in Japan by Gendai Kikakushitsu Publishing.

Remembering Babylon has won a number of international awards, including the inaugural International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award – one of the most lucrative literary prizes in the world – the Prix Baudelaire, and the Los Angeles Times Book Prize (Best Novel), and was shortlisted for the prestigious Man Booker Prize for Fiction and the Miles Franklin Literary Award.

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ABC Radio National: Books and Arts Daily - Australian Literature in Translation

Students thank Australia for Earthquake support

28 February 2012

Australian Ambassador Bruce Miller today accepted a letter of appreciation and a thousand folded paper cranes from a group of Gakushuin Women's College students wishing to convey their gratitude for the support Australia provided for Japan after the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami of 11 March last year.

In the letter, they expressed their appreciation for Australia's contribution to rescue and recovery efforts immediately after the disaster including the dispatch of the Urban Search and Rescue team from Australia to the town of Minami Sanriku and the Australian Defence Force's Operation Pacific Assist. They also noted that Prime Minister Julia Gillard's visit to the disaster-hit area last April as the first foreign leader to do so reaffirmed the strong friendship between Australia and Japan, offering great encouragement to many people in Japan.

Australians unveil snow art in Echigo-Tsumari

27 February 2012

Two Australian artists and one curator recently departed Australia's scorching summer to participate in an artist-in-residency snowy Echigo-Tsumari region, displaying their work at the Snow Art Project on 25 and 26 February.

The artists, Jeremy Bakker and Ross Coulter, and curator Angela Pye, spent a month in Tokamachi, working closely with the local community in creating their art work. The finished product, including impressions of the space between the hands of members of the local community, was made from snow.

The Snow Art Project is a precursor of this year's 5th Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale, to be held between July and September.

The artist-in-residency is funded by the Japanese Agency for Cultural Affairs and coordinated by NPO Satoyama Collaborative Organization and the Australian Embassy.

Australia-Japan Collaboration in Science Research

24 February 2012

The Australian Embassy has briefed Japanese scientists on the science environment in Australia, as part of an initiative aimed at strengthening the research networks between Japan and Australia.

Eight Japanese researchers are spending two weeks at Australian universities and research institutes under the Australia-Japan Emerging Research Leaders Exchange Program.

Those participating are emerging leaders in science and technology in Japan, from the priority fields of health and technology, ICT and nanotechnology.

The research exchange provides opportunities for Australian and Japanese future leaders to share research and scientific developments. Alumni of the Program from both Japan and Australia have made science and technology linkages benefiting their research and institutions, following their exchange.

Benefits from the Program are two-way, with Japan a leading nation in scientific output and research intensity and Australia a producer of 3% of the world's scientific publications with only 0.3% of the world's population.

The Program is administered by the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering and the Engineering Academy of Japan with funding support from the Australian Government and the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science.

JABCC Essay Competition

21 February 2012

Commemorating 50 years since its foundation, the Japan-Australia Business Co-operation Committee's 50th Anniversary Essay Contest is now open for professionals or students with an interest in the Japan-Australia relationship. The Committee welcomes productive views and suggestions on future directions in Australia-Japan relations - including trade, economy, education, culture and diplomacy - under the theme of "Revitalising the Australia-Japan Partnership in a Changing World". Entries close on Thursday 31 May 2012.

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Applications for Sir Neil Currie Australian Studies Awards Program Now Open

31 January 2012

The 2011-12 Australia-Japan Foundation Sir Neil Currie Australian Studies Awards program is now open for researchers in four categories, including the newly-established category of Early Career Researchers Support Program. Applications must be submitted by Friday 6 April 2012.

The program was established in 2000 to develop and promote the study of Australia in Japan. These Awards commemorate the life of Sir Neil Currie, former Australian Ambassador to Japan and former Chairman of the Australia-Japan Foundation. The Foundation welcomes high quality proposals from a broad range of fields.

Australia-Japan Foundation Grants Now Open

20 January 2012

The Australia-Japan Foundation's (AJF) Grant Program for projects commencing between 1 July 2012 and 30 June 2013 is now open. Applications must be submitted by Sunday 1 April 2012.

AJF grants are intended to provide seed funding for innovative proposals relevant to the aims and objectives of the AJF. This includes proposals which demonstrate the potential for the development of long-term links between individuals and institutions in Australia and their counterparts in Japan.

Animal Kingdom opens in Japan

20 January 2012

ANIMAL KINGDOM, a powerful Australian crime drama, opens in Japan on Saturday 21 January 2012. The film explores the tense battle between a criminal family and the police, and the ordinary lives caught in the middle.

ANIMAL KINGDOM was nominated for a record 18 Australian Film Institute Awards in 2010, winning 10 (including Best Film, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Actor and Best Actress). It also won the World Cinema Jury Prize: Dramatic at the Sundance Film Festival and the New York Film Critics Circle's Best First Film. It has received overwhelming acclaim from critics and general audiences alike.

For more information about Australian cultural events in Japan, visit the Embassy's Culture Centre website.