Australia-Japan Sport Relations
As one of Japan’s closest regional partners, Australia already enjoys a deep sporting connection and a healthy sporting rivalry with Japan. Through the Australia-Japan Foundation, Australia played a leading role in the introduction of lifesaving and touch football into Japan in the 1970s and 1980s. Since then, Australian and Japanese sports people have enjoyed a steady exchange of competitions and players.
Australia and Japan have an ongoing friendly rivalry which has been seen on the court and the field in Japan in recent years, with Australia participating in the Wheelchair Rugby Asia-Oceania Championships in Tokyo, the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Okinawa and the World Aquatics Championships in Fukuoka.
Some other highlights include partnership matches between rugby teams the Queensland Reds and Panasonic Wildknights and ACT Brumbies and Suntory Sungoliaths, the arrival of Mitchell Duke, a member of the Socceroos who joined Machida Zelvia for the 2023 J2 League season, a celebration of our Pacific rugby family during the 2023 Rugby World Cup France, and the Australian Baseball team’s memorable stay in Fuchu City for the World Baseball Classic.
The ‘Green and Gold’ Decade
Over the next ten years Australia will be host nation for a series of major international sporting events. A celebration of Australia as a country of sporting excellence on the world stage, this is referred to as the ‘Green and Gold’ Decade.
2023 FIFA Women's World Cup
When: 20 July – 20 August 2023
Australian host cities: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide
New Zealand host cities: Auckland, Dunedin, Hamilton and Wellington
Find out more: 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup
This year Australia was proud to co-host the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand. The 2023 tournament was the first to be co-hosted, the first in the Southern hemisphere and the first with 32 teams. It also broke both attendance and viewing records. Nearly 2 million fans attended the games in Australia and New Zealand, making it the most-attended women’s sporting event in history.
Nearly 2 million fans attended the games in Australia and New Zealand, making it the most-attended women’s sporting event in history.
In February, the FIFA Women’s World Cup Trophy Tour made its first official stop in Japan. Ambassador Hayhurst met with players Homare Sawa and Aya Miyama from Japan’s legendary 2011 Nadeshiko team for the trophy reveal.
In May this year, the Australian Embassy was honoured to welcome Her Imperial Highness Princess Takamado, the Honorary President of the Japan Football Association to the Embassy. Ambassador Hayhurst had the chance to discuss the FIFA 2023 Women’s World Cup hosted by Australia and New Zealand later this year.
Japanese Diet Member Ms Noda Seiko to take part in the Gender Equality Symposium, held by the Australian Government in the lead up to the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. The symposium reflected the government’s commitment to inspire action and connection on gender equality and the human rights of women and girls through the power of sport.
2025 ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships
When: 1 October to 6 October 2025
Where: Penrith, New South Wales
Find out more: 2025 ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships
2027 Rugby World Cup
Find out more: 2027 Rugby World Cup
2027 Netball World Cup
Where: Sydney, New South Wales
Find out more: 2027 Netball World Cup
2028 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup
Australia and New Zealand will co-host the T20 Men’s Cricket World Cup in 2028.
2029 Rugby World Cup
Find out more: 2029 Rugby World Cup
2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games
On 21 July 2021 the International Olympic Committee (IOC) elected Brisbane host of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games (Brisbane 2032 Games). This result will see Australia host the Olympic Games for the third time and the Paralympic Games for the second time. This event brings together thousands of athletes from over 200 nations around the world.
Where: Brisbane, Queensland
Find out more: