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The Japan Foundation
 
The Japan Foundation is a Japanese public organization established in 1972 in Tokyo dedicated to promoting cultural and intellectual exchange between Japan and other nations through the implementation of comprehensive international cultural exchange projects. Through its activities, it contributes to the deepening of mutual international understanding and the building of peace in the international community.

The Japan Foundation operates a number of programs, often in partnership with other organizations, focusing mainly on three areas: Arts and Cultural Exchange, Japanese-Language Education Overseas, and Japanese Studies and Intellectual Exchange. It has a global network of 23 offices in 21 countries as well as a Tokyo headquarters, a Kyoto office, two domestic Japanese-language institutes in Urawa and Kansai. The Japan Foundation in Australia was founded in 1978 in Canberra and then moved to Sydney in 1988.
 

Season’s Greetings

Since my arrival in October, 3 months have already passed.

During this time I’ve been involved in many projects including the 42nd Japanese Language Speech Contest and ‘Glimpses of Japan’ lecture series. I have also seen first hand the success of this year’s 15th Japanese Film Festival which travelled to 7 cities and screened to 22,000 nationwide. It has been a great achievement. To continue these and other projects, we are looking forward to deepening our current relationships and fostering new connections.

To begin 2012, we’ll have a solo exhibition by a Japanese artist as part of ‘facetnate’ and hope to conduct a Japanese cooking demonstration. In March, the Japanese Studies department will host a panel discussion focusing on disaster recovery in Japan. As this year, Japanese language courses and Japanese cultural courses will resume.

Through our events I hope more people come to the Japan Foundation, Sydney to deepen their understanding of Japan. I want to increase the amount of our events in Sydney and nationally. I also look forward to furthering my travel around Australia and to New Zealand in 2012.

I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
 
Mission
 
The mission of the Japan Foundation is to contribute to the improvement of a good international environment, and to the maintenance and development of harmonious foreign relationships with Japan, by the efficient and comprehensive implementation of activities for international cultural exchange, which will deepen other nations’ understanding of Japan, promote better mutual understanding among nations, and contribute to strong relationships in the world.
 
Department Information
 
Arts and Cultural Exchange

The Japan Foundation aims to introduce the full spectrum of current Japanese culture and arts around Australia and abroad. This includes a wide range of fields from daily life and culture to arts such as film, music, and theatre, showcasing everything from the traditional to the contemporary.

Selection of programs we offer:

  • Art Gallery Exhibitions
  • Workshops
  • Grants / Artist in Residencies
  • Fortnightly film screenings
  • Japanese Film Festival

 

Japanese Language Education

The Language Section works to support Japanese language education in schools throughout Australia and New Zealand. Working in conjunction with local educational authorities, our activities are aimed at raising the standard of Japanese language education across all education sectors. Evening language courses for the general public are also available.

Selection of programs we offer:

  • Teachers Professional Development
  • Online Courses for Teachers
  • Language Courses for Learners
  • Video Matsuri and Art Speaks Comes Alive contests
  • Extensive range of online resources

Japanese Studies and Intellectual Exchange

The Japanese Studies and Intellectual Exchange section aims to promote academic research on Japan by providing funding for both individuals and organisations involved in the field of Japanese studies. We also organise and support a diverse range of intellectual exchange activities such as lectures, conferences and workshops designed to foster understanding between Japan, Australia and other countries in our region.

Selection of programs we offer:

  • New Voices
  • Lecture Series
  • Fellowship Programs

 

Library

The library is a public lending library for people in Australia who are interested in Japan, Japanese culture and the language. The collection has now grown to number more than 20,000 print and audio-visual items. Visitors are welcome to browse and study in the library as the majority of our collection is arranged in the open shelf area.