Australian Embassy
Tokyo
Japan

Cultural Diplomacy

Australia is a land of old and new, where more than 40,000 years of heritage and tradition is incorporated into contemporary culture. This exciting blend of ancient and cutting-edge expression is what makes Australia the dynamic and innovative society it is today.

The Australian Embassy’s Public Diplomacy Section has a proactive cultural program designed to promote and showcase Australia’s vibrant and diverse society in Japan.

We work with Australian and Japanese Government agencies and arts organisations to increase opportunities for the Australian arts industry and to foster strong cultural links between our two countries.

Our major activities include:

  • strengthening existing relationships and cultivating new networks between Australian and Japanese key cultural decision makers and arts professionals
  • consolidating Australia-Japan government-to-government partnerships that provide the foundation for bilateral cultural activities
  • providing information on Australian arts and cultural projects in Japan
     

Cultural diplomacy in focus: Australia House

Australia House is located in the mountainous Echigo-Tsumari region and has been a base for cultural exchanges, including artist (and curator)-in-residence programs and art exhibitions. Australia House not only showcases great works from Australian artists, but is also a testimony to Australian and Japanese collaboration, being designed by Sydney based Architect, Andrew Burns, in partnership with Japanese architects.

Australia House connects Australian artists and curators with Japanese artists, culture and nature. Read more about Australia House here.  
 

Showcase of Australian arts and culture in Japan

Australian arts and culture is rich and dynamic and is becoming increasingly prominent in the Japanese art scene. Australia’s creative industries have built a global reputation for innovation, talent and energy and play an important role in the Australian economy.

This showcase explores a selection of successful past projects and highlights cultural institutions that have hosted Australian-related events. It is not an exhaustive list, but Australian art professionals may find this a useful tool for exploring possible future activities within Japan. We encourage you to do your own independent research.  People in Japan interested in Australian arts and culture may also find this a useful source of information to learn more about Australian art and culture in Japan.

The Australian Embassy has previously supported a number of projects that brought together different arts and culture styles, including the Australia-Japan Year of Exchange in 2006 and the Ancient Futures project in 2003. We will support Australia’s Focus Country Program in Japan in 2018 with a spring-summer festival titled ‘Australia now’.

To read more about Australians arts and culture in Japan, please visit our Australian art and culture page.