13 Jul 2018
Australia now Monthly – July 2018
Australia now Monthly – July 2018
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As Australia now nears its half-way point, it’s a good opportunity to take stock of how far we’ve come since this exciting program was launched in April.
Over 37,000 people have already participated directly in 15 Australia now events, including tours by the Australian Chamber Orchestra and Ilbijerri Theatre, beef, lamb and wine promotions, and major showcases of Australian agritech, rugby and film talent.
Many more people have engaged with the program online and in print with features in Nikkei, Asahi and Yomiuri, and even this month’s JAL inflight magazine, Skyward.
I’d like to express a special thank you to our Australia now Goodwill Ambassadors – Toshio Shiba AM, Kyoko Maya, Testuya Bessho, Chris Glenn, Keiko Kojima and Sarah Àlainn – who have led the way in sharing their perspectives on the surprising and unique aspects of modern Australia.
We were honoured to introduce visiting Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, Steven Ciobo to Tetsuya Bessho and Sarah Àlainn at the Australian Short Film Theatre in Roppongi Hills on 1 July.
Another highlight this month was welcoming Her Imperial Highness Princess Takamado to the opening of the Universal Principles / Unique Projects architecture exhibition at the Mori Tower’s Sky Gallery, on until 26 August.
With four months to go, there are still plenty of chances to get involved in Australia now, but I encourage you not to wait too long!
Richard Court AC
Her Imperial Highness Princess Takamado, Ambassador Court, Mori Art Museum Chairperson and member of the Mori Building Board of Directors, Yoshiko Mori with Wendy Lewin, architect and curator of the UNIVERSAL PRINCIPLES / UNIQUE PROJECTS: Architecture Re-Setting the Agenda exhibition opening on 6 July.
Photo credit: Australian Embassy Tokyo
Australia’s economy has broken the record for the longest run of uninterrupted growth in the developed world, with 27 years of uninterrupted growth.
– 7 Jul-26 Aug: UNIVERSAL PRINCIPLES / UNIQUE PROJECTS: Architecture Re-Setting the Agenda
– 14 Jul-2 Sept: Dinosaur Zoo
– 29 Jul-17 Sept: Yidaki: Didjeridu and the Sound of Australia
– 29 Jul-17 Sept: Hossein Valamanesh and Angela Valamanesh at the Echigo Tsumari Art Triennale
– 4-5 Aug: “New Owner” Last Great Hunt
– 4-22 Aug: “You and Me and the Space in Between” Terrapin Theatre
Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, Steven Ciobo, visited Tokyo from 1-5 July, meeting with Japanese and regional counterparts to discuss bilateral and global trade developments, including at the Fifth Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Ministerial Meeting.
Mr Ciobo was accompanied by a delegation of 13 Australian entrepreneurs from the ‘future cities’ sector and five young agricultural leaders.
In Tokyo, Mr Ciobo conducted the first Japan-Australia Ministerial Economic Dialogue with Minister for Economy, Trade and Industry, Hiroshige Seko, and met with Japan’s Minister responsible for the Trans Pacific Partnership, Toshimitsu Motegi.
Promoting Australian film, food and beverages and tourism, Mr Ciobo opened the Australian Short Film Festival in Roppongi – Powered by Flickerfest as part of Australia now.
Mr Ciobo showed his support for the Australia-Japan business relationship with a keynote address hosted by the Australia and New Zealand Chamber of Commerce in Japan, a return of seized Japanese business archives and a visit to see Australian citrus on sale on Ota market.
Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, Steven Ciobo with Australian citrus on sale at Ota Market, accompanied a delegation of young Australian agricultural leaders: Signature Beef General Manager, Tess Camm; Ricegrowers’ Association of Australia (RGA) rice growers, Michael Chalmers and Rachel Kelly; SunRice Business Development Manager, Rupert Dyer; Graingrowers National Policy Group Member, Kallum Blake
Photo credit: DFAT/Ken Katsurayama
Seventeen children from Laos, Vietnam and the Philippines visited Ibaraki Prefecture from 27 June to 2 July to showcase their tag rugby skills and make new international friends.
The Pass It Back program, led by ChildFund Australia and supported by Australian Aid, helps children from disadvantaged communities learn valuable life skills like gender equality, communication, leadership and resilience through sport.
Congratulations to ChildFund Australia on an inspiring initiative bringing together five countries to help the next generation share culture, laughter and, of course, a love of sport.
Students from Laos, Vietnam, the Philippines and Japan take part in ChildFund Australia’s Pass It Back visit to Ibaraki, Japan
Photo credit: ChildFund Pass It Back
Mori Building’s Sky Gallery has become the temporary home for twelve distinct Australian architecture designs, a deckchair cinema and an Australian café for the UNIVERSAL PRINCIPLES/UNIQUE PROJECTS architecture exhibition, as part of Australia now.
At the 6 July opening reception, curator and leading Australian architect, Wendy Lewin, introduced designs to media, sponsors and special guests, including Her Imperial Highness Princess Takamado and Mori Art Museum Chairperson and member of the Mori Building Board of Directors, Yoshiko Mori.
The opening day for the general public also held a special treat, with eight of the architects present to discuss their works.
For the architects and students from Australia and Japan who worked on this project, the unveiling of this exhibition has been a long-awaited occasion. The diverse architectural landscapes of Australia are complemented by Tokyo’s stunning panorama, and will be viewable until 26 August.
(Seated) Ambassador Court at the opening of the UNIVERSAL PRINCIPLES/UNIQUE PROJECTS architecture exhibition with Her Imperial Highness Princess Takamado, Mori Art Museum Chairperson and member of the Mori Building Board of Directors, Yoshiko Mori, Mori Art Museum Chief Curator, Mami Kataoka, and architects/curators Wendy Lewin and Dr Maryam Gusheh, together with (standing) Deputy Head of Mission, Bassim Blazey and architects: Ray Brown, Andrew Burns, Professor Brit Andresen, John Choi, Professor Alec Tzannes, Professor Michael Trudgeon, Bud Brannigan, Professor Souhei Imamura and Professor Tom Heneghan
Photo credit: Australian Embassy Tokyo
On 1 July, Tokyo’s Roppongi Hills transformed into a mini-land down under for the Australian Short Film Theatre – Powered by Flickerfest. The event showcased Australian filmmaking talent to over 2,000 guests while satisfying bellies with Aussie lamb, chocolates, beer and wine.
Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, Steven Ciobo warmly welcomed the crowd and took time to meet Australian food and beverage vendors introduced by the Australia and New Zealand Chamber of Commerce in Japan.
In addition to the eight films on show, visitors were entertained by virtual reality experiences from Rio Tinto and Meat and Livestock Australia and children’s’ activities.
Making the most of Tokyo’s summer heat, the festival was the perfect opportunity for local and international guests alike to bask in the Australian outdoor lifestyle right in the heart of Tokyo.
Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, Steven Ciobo and Australia now Goodwill Ambassadors Tetsuya Bessho and Sarah Àlainn join guests at the Australian Short Film Theatre at Roppongi Hills on 1 July
Photo credit: Australian Embassy Tokyo
Leading Japanese gender advocacy consultancy, ewoman, Inc. has announced that Workplace Gender Equality Agency Director, Libby Lyons will join an impressive line-up of speakers at the 23rd International Conference for Women in Business on 22 July. Ms Lyons will address a roundtable on leadership and how to address different cultural backgrounds, genders and customs to promote inclusiveness.
Ms Lyons’ visit is supported through Australia now with a focus on exchanging lessons on how gender equality can improve lifestyles and quality of life for women and men.
Workplace Gender Equality Agency Director, Libby Lyons will join ewoman’s 23rd International Conference for Women in Business on 22 July
Photo credit: Workplace Gender Equality Agency
Congratulations to Australia’s Professor Brian Walker, CSIRO Research Fellow and Program Director of the Resilience Alliance Program, for winning the 2018 Blue Planet Prize. The award, created by Japan’s Asahi Glass Foundation, recognises outstanding contributions to solving global environmental problems.
Professor Walker is the third Australian to win a major Japanese science prize in the past twelve months, joining Professors Graham Farquhar (Kyoto Prize) and Jacques Miller (Japan Prize).
Professor Walker was acknowledged for his work as a pioneer of ‘resilience science’ in social-ecological systems. His ideas and research have influenced many fields, from environmental conservation to disaster prevention policy.
Blue Planet Prize winner, Professor Brian Walker is a world-renowned expert on resilience in social-ecological systems
Photo credit: International Council for Science
With public safety a key consideration ahead of the Rugby World Cup, Olympics and Paralympics, the embassy was pleased to collaborate with Tokyo’s Mita Police station on a series of public safety drills on 19 June.
Police officers practised responding to situations involving chemicals and explosives within the embassy grounds. Their canine squad also demonstrated their impressive capacity to respond to threats, and to win cuddly hearts and minds!
With large numbers of Australians expected to attend all three events, the embassy will work with Tokyo authorities to make sure everyone is able to safely enjoy the competitions.
A police actor threatens first responders from Mita Police Station during a public safety demonstration at the embassy on 19 June
Photo credit: Australian Embassy Tokyo
Over spring, Japan’s gourmet fans had the opportunity to savour the premium beef, lamb and wine that Australia is famous for. Over two months, more than 250 restaurants in Kanto, Kansai and Chubu regions offered unique menus created from high quality Australian ingredients.
The campaign culminated in June when awards ceremonies were held in Osaka, Nagoya and Tokyo to congratulate the top ten restaurants for their contributions to Australian cuisine in Japan.
Australian wines on display at the award ceremony of the Australian Beef, Lamb and Wine Promotion 2018
Photo credit: Australian Embassy Tokyo
Congratulations to former Ambassador to Japan, Bruce Miller, on his appointment as an Officer of the Order of Australia. The award recognises his more than thirty years of public service, including six years as Ambassador to Japan (2011-2017).
Mr Miller’s interest in Japan began at an early age with a cultural exchange trip to Tokyo, Kyoto and Hiroshima, and Japanese studies at university.
Japanese remains a popular language for students in Australia to study today. We look forward to see more young Australians following in Mr Miller’s footsteps in contributing to the strong bilateral relationship we enjoy today.
Former Ambassador Bruce Miller AO at the embassy in Tokyo
Photo credit: Australian Embassy Tokyo
Soccer fever is sweeping the globe with the World Cup, but rugby is hot on its heels. On 16-17 June, over 30,000 people turned out for a street festival and to see the NSW Waratahs and ACT Brumbies play against the Suntory Sungoliaths and NEC Green Rockets in the Chichibunomiya Minato Rugby Festival.
Ambassador Court welcomed representatives from all four teams to the embassy on 15 June.
Game day was full of energy from both players and spectators. It was a close contest, but in the end the Japanese teams came out on top. Congratulations to the winners! We look forward to see more Australia-Japan friendly sporting rivalry in next year’s Rugby World Cup.
Ambassador Court with Waratahs Hooker Damien Fitzpatrick and Brumbies Captain Christian Lealiifano during a visit to the embassy ahead of the Chichibunomiya Minato Rugby Festival
Photo credit: Australian Embassy Tokyo
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