AJRC launches new Australia-Japan Business Scholarship with support from Ian Williams

The Australia–Japan Research Centre (AJRC) has created the Australia–Japan Business Scholarship, established through a generous donation by Ian Williams, Principal of IMW Advisory. The scholarship provides targeted financial support for postgraduate research focused on Australia–Japan business relations, reflecting Mr Williams’ long-standing commitment to deepening commercial ties between the two countries.

Mr Williams is a Brisbane-based corporate lawyer and strategic adviser who has worked on more than 400 Japan-related transactions during a 30-year career. He serves as Vice-President of the Australia Japan Business Co-operation Committee and sits on the AJRC Advisory Board. In 2016 the Japanese Government awarded him the Foreign Minister’s Commendation for services to the bilateral relationship. Ian is the lead author and creator of the Japan-Australia Investment Report, now being produced jointly with the AJRC. 

The scholarship’s holder is Hamish Brookes, a PhD candidate investigating Japanese foreign direct investment in Australia. Mr Brookes will utilise the scholarship to undertake detailed empirical research both in Australia and Japan, contributing to the AJRC’s goal of informing and strengthening bilateral economic ties.