The Diversity of Growing Multicultural Societies: Australia-Japan Dialogue in Comparison
Grantee: Australian Studies Association of Japan
AJF grant amount: $35,477.79
Priority area: Education and Australian studies
Project description
Two symposia to be held in June 2026 at the Australian Studies Association of Japan (ASAJ) annual conference to discuss and share knowledge on contemporary issues such as immigration, refugees, multicultural conviviality, and coping strategies common to Australia and Japan.
Social media and website
- Australian Studies Association of Japan Facebook
- オーストラリア学会 - Australian Studies Association of Japan website
Bringing spoken language to Japanese deaf children through Australian expertise
Grantee: The Shepherd Centre - For Deaf Children
AJF grant amount: $48,714
Priority area: Communication, Information and Advocacy
Project description
A project to continue building Japanese capacity by sharing The Shepherd Centre's (TSC) expertise in its early intervention program for children with hearing loss, and upskilling hearing-health professionals in Shizuoka.
Social media and website
- The Shepherd Centre Facebook
- The Shepherd Centre Instagram
- The Shepherd Centre LinkedIn
- The Shepherd Centre YouTube
- The Shepherd Centre website
Back to Back Theatre's MULTIPLE BAD THINGS at Kyoto Experiment
Grantee: General Incorporated Association Kyoto Experiment
AJF grant amount: $33,800
Priority area: Society, Culture and Sport
Project description
Performance by Back to Back Theatre's ensemble of actors with disabilities at Kyoto Experiment, one of Japan's most established international performing arts festivals. Will also include a post-performance talk and workshops led by the company, as well as opportunities for exchange with Japanese practitioners engaged in inclusive practices.
Social media and website
Visiting Professor Program in Australian Studies and Resource Building
Grantee: The University of Tokyo
AJF grant amount: $39,991
Priority area: Education and Australian studies
Project description
The selected visiting professor will teach undergraduate and postgraduate students, and take part in the activities of Centre for Pacific and American Studies (CPAS) and academic associations in Australian studies in Japan. CPAS will also purchase and make available academic resources in Australian studies at its library.
Social media and website
Center for Pacific and American Studies website
Educational Diplomacy: Youth-led Intercultural Collaboration Towards Inclusive and Resilient Societies
Grantee: The University of Sydney
AJF grant amount: $21,378.60
Priority area: Education and Australian studies
Project description
A student-led, cross-sector collaboration connecting university students with professionals from government, industry, and NGOs in both countries. It will include a symposium, workshops, joint publications and online public forums to examine global issues and foster a deeper understanding between Australia and Japan.
Social media and website
- The University of Sydney Facebook
- The University of Sydney – School of Languages and Cultures YouTube
- The University of Sydney – Japanese Studies website
YCAM OpenLab 2025: Navigating Natureless Solutions
Grantee: Yamaguchi City Foundation for Cultural Promotion
AJF grant amount: $22,052
Priority area: Society, Culture and Sport
Project description
The seventh edition of YCAM OpenLab will highlight cultural and technological issues concerning food futures, focusing on Metabolic Rift Theory, which examines the complex disconnect between human society and the natural world. YCAM OpenLab 2025 will unite diverse voices, including leading thinkers, biotechnology experts, contemporary artists, and academics from Japan and worldwide.
Social media and website
Yamaguchi Center for Arts and Media (YCAM) website
Next Wave - Japan-Australia Lifesaving Exchange & Leadership Program
Grantee: Japan Lifesaving Association
AJF grant amount: $50,000
Priority area: Education and Australian studies
Project description
The Japan Lifesaving Association, in partnership with Surf Life Saving Australia, will deliver a bilateral exchange and youth leadership program focused on drowning prevention including through lifesaving patrol observation, rescue training and leadership development.
Social media and website
- Japan Lifesaving Association Facebook
- Japan Lifesaving Association Instagram
- Japan Lifesaving Association X
- Japan Lifesaving Association YouTube
- Japan Lifesaving Association website
Unspoken contributions: Engaging public dialogue with Japanese-Australian photo exhibition (1867-1946)
Grantee: Flinders University
AJF grant amount: $17,587
Priority area: Education and Australian studies
Project description
A photo exhibition and a public symposium in Cowra, NSW, to present rare photographic records of Japanese migrants and diaspora who helped shape modern Australia. Aims to raise awareness of this neglected chapter in history and reach a broader audience.
Social media and website
Eucalypts of Hodogaya: Organic Cultural Diplomacy at Yokohama War Cemetery
Grantee: The University of Melbourne
AJF grant amount: $24,336
Priority area: Society, Culture and Sport
Project description
This travelling exhibition project between the University of Melbourne and the Yokohama Archives of History Museum will introduce previously unknown collaboration of Australian and Japanese architects, horticulturalists and contractors in the creation of the Yokohama War Cemetery at Hodogaya between 1946-1951. The project includes a major exhibition at the Yokohama Archives of History Museum in April 2026.
Social media and website
The University of Melbourne website
Leadership in Action: Empowering Nurses in Primary Care
Grantee: A/Prof Mayumi Kako
AJF grant amount: $45,580
Priority area: Communication, Information and Advocacy
Project description
Structured exchanges and professional collaboration between the Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association (APNA) and the Japan Primary Care Association (JPCA) to connect primary care nurses and discuss common challenges such as workforce development, leadership, gender equity, and care for diverse and often vulnerable populations.
Expansion of the collection and exhibitions of literature and photo-panels
Grantee: Otemon Gakuin University
AJF grant amount: $10,000
Priority area: Education and Australian studies
Project description
The library aims to enrich the collection of Australian books, expanding beyond academic resources and hold an exhibition featuring literary and children's books at the Ibaraki Sojiji Campus. A photo panel exhibition tentatively titled "Australia's Indigenous people: The Life of Torres Strait Islanders" will also be held, showcasing a collection of photos taken in the 1970s by Japanese researchers.
Social media and website
Droppings: Australia-Japan Socially-Engaged Exchange Program
Grantee: Auspicious Arts Projects Inc.
AJF grant amount: $37,697
Priority area: Society, Culture and Sport
Project description
A 12-month pilot bringing together 30 emerging artists to collaborate, create new work and build long-term connections between artists and organisations in both countries, resulting in projects shaped by both Japanese and Australian perspectives.
STELARC / BUNSHIN: "Split Body" Multilateral Research Lab
Grantee: Living Together Co.
AJF grant amount: $40,000
Priority area: Society, Culture and Sport
Project description
The project will bring the creative practice of Stelarc to hold multinational and cross-disciplinary idea-sharing, talk sessions and demonstrations to develop the basis for future Art Science research projects, exhibitions, workshops, and technological prototyping.
Social media and website
Space Education and Science Innovation Series
Grantee: Dr Tomoko Kate Kitagawa
AJF grant amount: $46,780
Priority area: Scientific Innovation
Project description
The Space Education and Science Innovation Series aims to encourage multidisciplinary collaboration and knowledge exchange to inspire the next generation in space research and policy. It will include an online seminar series featuring prominent international scientists and engineers from the space sector, as well as public lectures as part of Melbourne's International Space Festival and educational modules.
Expanding Japanese vocational programs for young people with mental ill-health
Grantee: Orygen
AJF grant amount: $39,330
Priority area: Communication, Information and Advocacy
Project description
Orygen in Australia and the National Centre for Neurology and Psychiatry (NCNP) in Japan will collaborate and share Australia's research excellence, evidence-based practice, and advocacy experience on vocational support for young people with mental ill-health, with the aim to encourage growth and innovation in this field.
Social media and website
Shimanto River/Farmland Comprehensive NBS Design and Implementation Project
Grantee: Ecosystem Research Institute
AJF grant amount: $25,000
Priority area: Society, Culture and Sport
Project description
This project will promote, design and implement Nature Based Solutions to improve river water quality, biodiversity and achieve sustainable and nature-friendly agriculture by shifting from grey infrastructure. It will bring small to medium-sized enterprises together at a symposium to discuss and present information on Australia's advanced and nature-friendly technology to improve farmland conditions.
Social media and website
Ecosystem Research Institute website
Future Noh
Grantee: Swinburne University of Technology
AJF grant amount: $40,000
Priority area: Society, Culture and Sport
Project description
Future Noh aims to reenvisage the traditional Japanese art form of Noh using Augmented Reality (AR) and AI driven humanoid robots. This collaborative project sees this melding of performance and robots as a new form of archiving and experiencing intangible cultural heritage through robotics and 3D scanning.
Social media and website
Swinburne University of Technology website
PFAS Contamination from Lithium-Ion Battery Fires: Post-Fire Cleanup & Public Awareness
Grantee: University of New South Wales
AJF grant amount: $27,000
Priority area: Scientific Innovation
Project description
This collaborative project between UNSW Canberra and Gifu University focuses on raising awareness about the environmental risks associated with PFAS contamination from lithium-ion battery fires through student-focused awareness sessions, a public seminar and bilingual educational materials.
Australia-Japan Cross-cultural Knowledge Exchange for the Wellbeing of Older Adults
Grantee: Deakin University
AJF grant amount: $43,185.20
Priority area: Society, Culture and Sport
Project description
This project brings together leading researchers, designers and aged care professionals from Australia and Japan to co-develop culturally meaningful sensory engagement strategies for older people. Through a series of workshops and showcases in both countries, the team will develop simple, sensory-rich materials that reflect everyday cultural practises and explore which stories and formats resonate best with older people.