Japan Update 2026

As the 50th anniversary of the Basic Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation between Australia and Japan, this year’s Update will bring together experts from Australia and Japan to provide insights into Japan’s economy, politics and foreign policy, reflect on the state of Japan studies in Australia, and discuss the past and future of the bilateral relationship. 

We hope that you can join us in-person for this free fully catered event with opportunities for networking or tune in at any time to the live stream to watch your topics of interest.

REGISTRATION: Please indicate whether you will attend in person or online (via live stream on Vimeo) at the checkout. All attendees will receive a confirmation email with instructions for accessing both the in-person and online events.

PROGRAM

Registration & tea and coffee (8:30-9:00am)

Welcome (9am)

• Shiro Armstrong, Director, Australia-Japan Research Centre, The Australian National University

Introduction

• Rebekah Brown, Interim Vice Chancellor of The Australian National University

Opening Keynote

• Tim Ayres, Minister for Industry and Innovation and Minister for Science

Vote of Thanks

• HE Kazuhiro Suzuki, Japanese Ambassador to Australia

The New Normal in Japan's Economy (9:45-10:45am)

• Keynote: Koji Nakamura, Bank of Japan
• Chair: Ippei Fujiwara, University of Tokyo and Keio University
• Katrina Di Marco, Deputy Secretary, Treasury

Morning Tea (10:45-11:15am)

Foreign Policy and Political Choices (11:15-12:45pm)

• Chair: Lauren Richardson, The Australian National University
• Yves Tiberghien, University of British Columbia and Taipei School of Economics and Political Science
• Naoko Eto, Gakushuin University
• Tomohiko Satake, Aoyama Gakuin University
• Evelyn Goh, The Australian National University

Lunch (12:45-1:45pm)

The State of Japanese Studies in Australia (1:45-3:00pm)

• Keynote: Sawako Shirahase, University of Tokyo
• Chair: Simon Avenell, The Australian National University
• Nana Oishi, The University of Melbourne
• Kent Anderson, The Australian National University
• Carolyn Stevens, Monash University

Afternoon tea (3:00-3:30pm)

The Next 50 Years of the Australia–Japan Relationship (3:30-4:45pm)

• Keynote: Peter Drysdale, The Australian National University
• Chair: Geraldine Doogue, Australian Broadcasting Corporation
• Kate Kitagawa, La Trobe University
• Shiro Armstrong, The Australian National University
• Melissa Conley Tyler, The University of Melbourne

Closing and Thank You (4:45-5:00pm)

• Ippei Fujiwara, University of Tokyo and Keio University
• Simon Avenell, Director, Japan Institute, The Australian National University

(All times are in Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST, UTC+10)