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.
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.
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.
The Language Section works to support Japanese language education in schools throughout Australia and New Zealand. Working in conjunction with local educational authorities, their 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.
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. They 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.
