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Japan-Australia Dialogue and Exchange for Next Generation

This program brings together early‑career academics, industry professionals and policy practitioners, positioning them to make meaningful contributions to strengthening Australia-Japan relations.

The Japan–Australia Dialogue and Exchange for the Next Generation program is a flagship initiative dedicated to strengthening Japan–Australia ties over the long term by building a network of emerging leaders across government, academia, industry and policy.

Strategic cooperation between Australia and Japan has become an increasingly important priority for both countries. Since the signing of the 2007 Joint Declaration on Security Cooperation (JDSC) — and through the elevation of the relationship to a Special Strategic Partnership in 2014, followed by an updated JDSC in 2022 — bilateral ties have gone from strength to strength. Today, Australia and Japan regard one another as their most important strategic partners after the United States.

Sustaining this momentum, however, will require more than formal agreements. It depends on a deeper mutual understanding between the political, strategic and policy communities of both countries. Central to this effort is strengthening people‑to‑people connections, particularly among the next generation of Australian and Japanese thought leaders who will shape the partnership in the decades ahead.

The Japan-Australia Dialogue and Exchange (JADE) program contributes to this intellectual and human infrastructure by connecting and empowering emerging talent from both countries. The program brings together early‑career academics, industry professionals and policy practitioners, positioning them to make meaningful contributions to an increasingly close partnership between two of the Indo‑Pacific’s most influential democratic powers.

JADE leverages the Japan Foundation’s longstanding commitment to global intellectual exchange, combined with the United States Studies Centre’s (USSC) deep policy expertise and regional networks.

Fellows participate in immersive field visits to Japan or Australia, engaging directly with senior figures across government, industry and academia. These experiences are designed to deepen participants’ understanding of each country’s strategic outlook, policymaking processes and political culture.

Throughout the program, fellows receive mentorship from leading USSC experts, including Dr Michael J. Green, CEO of the United States Studies Centre, and Dr Lavina Lee, Director of the Foreign Policy and Defence Program. Participants also work closely with Tom Corben, Research Fellow in the Foreign Policy and Defence Program, to develop policy‑relevant publications aligned with their research interests.

Apply

Applications for the 2026 JADE program have now closed.

What previous fellows have said about the program

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The JADE program had a profound and transformative impact on me. During our trip to Canberra, Sydney and Perth, I had the invaluable opportunity to engage in discussions with a wide range of high-ranking stakeholders, including representatives from government agencies and think tanks. These exchanges were not only highly beneficial for my research but also strengthened my motivation to contribute to the future development of Japan-Australia relations. I hope to continue supporting JADE while maintaining and deepening connections with my fellows from both Japan and Australia.

Japanese JADE Fellow

JADE Fellows at the Sydney Opera House
The JADE fellowship was an excellent opportunity to receive support and guidance in researching a critical issue in the Japan-Australia bilateral relationship that I have long held an interest in. The week-long field trip afforded the opportunity to engage with some of the most senior decision makers and advisors to the Japanese Government, as well as hear from some of the most preeminent academics and thinkers. This allowed me to test the assumptions of my research and further expand my understanding of the issue. Dr Green and Professor Dean generously imparted their knowledge throughout the process, through patient tutelage. It was a privilege to be a part of the program and hopefully make some small contribution in outlining a strategy for strengthening intelligence cooperation between Japan and Australia.

Australian JADE Fellow

JADE Fellows in Tokyo
This was by far the best fellowship program that I have ever joined. It was extremely informative, and all sessions were very interesting.

Japanese JADE Fellow

JADE Fellows
It was wonderful to have the opportunity to participate in the inaugural JADE program. I learnt first-hand from renowned experts on the Japan-Australia and Japan-US-Australia relationship and built connections with a wide range of Japanese and Australian counterparts. I would strongly recommend this program to anyone working on, or interested in working on, Australia's relationship with Japan.

Australian JADE Fellow

JADE Fellows in Japan
It was a great opportunity to expand our networks and help close the gap between academia and policymaking. The USSC and the Japan Foundation were both highly professional and exerted great effort to make sure we were warmly received on our trip. Overall, it was a life-changing experience and something I will continue to draw from over the course of my career.

Australian JADE Fellow

JADE Fellows in Japan

JADE 2025-2026 highlights

The theme for the second JADE program was Free and Open Indo-Pacific.

Japanese Fellows’ field trip to Australia

17–23 August 2025

Japanese fellows undertook a week‑long research visit to Australia, with program activities held across Melbourne, Canberra and Sydney.
In Melbourne, The delegation attended the Nikkei Forum 2025, where Dr Michael J. Green, CEO of the United States Studies Centre, delivered a keynote address. Dr Green also participated in a panel discussion examining how Japan and Australia can navigate growing geopolitical fragmentation and strategic uncertainty. Fellows further engaged in a roundtable discussion with La Trobe Asia, exploring regional and policy perspectives.

In Canberra, fellows met with senior officials and policy experts at key institutions, including the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Department of Defence, the Minerals Council of Australia, the Australian Strategic Policy Institute and the Embassy of Japan. These engagements provided valuable insights into Australia’s foreign, defence and economic policymaking processes.

The delegation was hosted by USSC in Sydney and held discussions with scholars and policy practitioners. Fellows also visited the Lowy Institute, where they examined key foreign policy challenges shaping Australia’s regional engagement.

Australian Fellows’ field trip to Japan

26 October – 1 November 2025

Australian fellows participated in a research visit to Tokyo, focusing on Japan’s foreign policy, security strategy and economic statecraft.

During the visit, the delegation met with a broad range of government, academic and industry stakeholders, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, the Parliamentary Vice‑Minister for Foreign Affairs, Rep. Tomoaki Shimada, the Keio Center for Strategy, the Sasakawa Peace Foundation, the Institute of Geoeconomics, Keidanren and the Australian Embassy in Japan.

To complement the policy‑focused program, fellows also engaged in cultural site visits, including teamLab Borderless, the Heijō Shrine, and Tsukiji, deepening their understanding of Japanese society and cultural heritage.

JADE 2024-2025 highlights

The theme for the inaugural JADE program was maritime security in the Indo-Pacific.

Japanese Fellows’ field trip to Australia

29 July – 9 August 2024

Japanese fellows visited Sydney, Canberra and Perth as part of the JADE Program.

In Sydney, the delegation participated in roundtable discussions with the United States Studies Centre, the Lowy Institute, and the Japan Bank for International Cooperation. Fellows also visited HMAS Kuttabul (Fleet Base East), gaining insight into Australia’s naval operations and maritime security arrangements.

In Australia’s capital, the delegation engaged with senior officials, scholars and analysts at key institutions, including the Office of National Intelligence, the Department of Defence, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Embassy of Japan, the Australian National University and the Australian Strategic Policy Institute. These meetings provided valuable perspectives on Australia’s strategic policy, defence planning and foreign relations.

In Perth, the program focused on defence industry, naval capability and regional security. Fellows met with the Perth USAsia Centre, the Defence and Security Institute (DSI) at the University of Western Australia, Defence West, and the Japanese Consul‑General Mr Naito Yasushi.

The delegation also visited HMAS Stirling and the Henderson Shipyard, including facilities operated by Lürssen and Austal. The Perth visit concluded with an in‑depth discussion on Japan’s National Security Strategy, hosted by DSI and attended by distinguished guests, including former Australian Defence Minister David Johnston and former Premier of Western Australia and former Australian Ambassador to Japan Richard Court, among others.

Australian Fellows’ field trip to Japan

3–7 February 2025

Australian fellows undertook a research trip to Tokyo, Yokosuka and Yokohama.

In Tokyo, the delegation met with senior representatives from government, academia and policy institutions, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Defense, the Parliamentary Vice‑Minister for Foreign Affairs Rep. Arfiya Eri, the Keio Center for Strategy, the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies, the Sasakawa Peace Foundation, the Japan Institute of International Affairs, and the Australian Ambassador to Japan, Justin Hayhurst, and officials at the Australian Embassy.

They also visited the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Forces Yokosuka Naval Base and Yokohama for a tour of a Mogami-Class frigate.

Publications written by JADE Fellows

Maritime security strategies for Japan and Australia: Report of the inaugural JADE Fellows

USSC

Rintaro Inoue on how Japan and Australia can fill each other’s defence gaps

ASPI Strategist

Our partners

This initiative is part of the Japan Foundation's Indo-Pacific Partnership Program (JFIPP)