Cultural Diplomacy
Australia has one of the most sophisticated creative sectors in the world and is home to world-leading cultural institutions.
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. Our cultural diplomacy program is underpinned by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT)’s Public Diplomacy strategy.
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;
- and providing information on Australian arts and cultural projects in Japan through our website, social media and other channels to engage Japanese audiences on contemporary Australia.
First Nations Arts and Culture
Australia’s arts and culture are grounded in the material heritage, practices and knowledges of First Nations peoples, who possess one of the world’s longest surviving cultures. For First Nations peoples, culture encompasses knowledge that is held, shared and continually adapted, including language, music, dance, stories, songlines and songspirals, and visual art. Culture is central to the health, wellbeing and identity of First Nations peoples, governed by sophisticated systems of knowledge.
Based on the Australian Government’s National Cultural Policy and DFAT’s Indigenous Diplomacy Agenda, the Australian Embassy Tokyo promotes the diverse excellence of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, expertise and innovation.
Click here for details on past programs in Japan.
Visual Arts
Australian visual arts is rich and dynamic and is becoming increasingly prominent in the international art scene. Australia also has many leading artists who create works with state-of-the-art technology.
Click here for details on past programs in Japan.
Performing Arts
Australia’s vibrant and diverse performing arts sector continues to captivate and grow its audiences internationally. Australian companies and individual artists frequently tour Japan and Australian plays translated into Japanese are regularly performed in Japan.
Click here for details on past programs in Japan.
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Jeff Busby
Film
The Australian screen industry is bursting with world-class talent and creativity that has seen Australian actors, directors, producers and films receive wide acclaim. Australian films are steadily released in Japan and the quality of Australian short films is well-recognised in Japan.
Click here for details on past programs in Japan.
Music
Australian musicians enjoy a high reputation in the international music scene. They constantly perform at music festivals and venues across Japan. Australian musicians have performed at festivals and schools in the Tohoku region since it was hit by the Great Eastern Japan Earthquake in 2011.
Click here for details on past programs in Japan.
Literature
Australian literature has transformed along with the course of time and trends of the society. After the multiculturalism policies were implemented in the 1970s, the multicultural aspects of Australia were shown widely, for example in migrant literature and indigenous literature, and revealed Australian literature to be unique to that of English literature. Patrick White has been awarded the 1973 Nobel Literature Prize, being the first Australian laureate in literature.
To introduce and showcase Australian literature in Japan, a project called “The Masterpieces of Australian Contemporary Literature Series” was established by Gendai Kikakushitsu Publishing in 2012. With the support of the Australia-Japan Foundation, the program aims to increase the recognition of contemporary Australian literature by translating and publishing Australian novels in Japan. Not only showcasing the excellence of Australian literature, the series looks to reveal 'Contemporary Australia' and share with the Japanese audience the diversity of its culture and society.
