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Japan-Australia Dialogue and Exchange for Next Generation

Together with the Japan Foundation, we run two parallel Australia-Japan fellowship programs designed to strengthen the connection between Australian and Japanese policy experts and research institutes.
The JADE Fellowships—Japan-Australia Dialogue and Exchange for Next Generation—help shape the future of policy expertise, fostering a new generation of Australia-based Japan specialists and Japan-based Australia experts.
Fellows take part in immersive field trips to Japan or Australia, engaging directly with key government and industry leaders. They also receive mentorship from our most senior experts—including Dr Michael J. Green, the Centre's Chief Executive Officer and Professor Peter Dean, Director of the Centre's Foreign Policy and Defence Program.

Applications for 2025
are now open

Strategic cooperation between Australia and Japan has become an increasingly important pursuit for both countries. Beginning with the 2007 Joint Declaration on Security Cooperation (JDSC) and reflected in the elevation of the relationship to a Special Strategic Partnership in 2014 and the issuing of an updated JDSC in 2022, the two countries have taken their relationship from strength to strength. Such has been the success of these efforts that Australia and Japan now regard one another as their most important strategic partner after the United States.

Yet sustaining that momentum over the long term will require building a deeper mutual understanding between the political and strategic communities in both countries. The success of those efforts will rest largely on strengthening people-to-people ties, and particularly fostering connections between emerging Australian and Japanese thought leaders who will carry the relationship forward in the coming decades.

Two people shake hands at a networking event.
Fellows engage with key government, industry and academic stakeholders to deepen their understanding of each country.

The JADE Program seeks to contribute to the development of that intellectual infrastructure between the two countries. Its primary objective is to deepen Australia-Japan ties by connecting and empowering emerging academic, industry and policy talent from both countries, positioning them to make meaningful contributions to an increasingly intimate partnership between two of the Indo-Pacific’s most influential and important democratic powers.

The JADE Program leverages the Japan Foundation’s historical commitment to fostering intellectual exchanges with the global community, in combination with the United States Studies Centre’s deep policy expertise and regional networks. Fellows participate in immersive field trips to Japan or Australia, respectively, engaging with key government, industry and academic stakeholders to deepen their understanding of each country’s strategic policy and culture. Throughout the program, participants are mentored by senior USSC experts including Dr Michael J. Green, CEO of the USSC and Professor Peter Dean, Director of Foreign Policy and Defence Program. Fellows also work closely with Tom Corben, Research Fellow in the Foreign Policy and Defence Program, to produce policy-relevant publications on their areas of research interest.

Participants of the program pose for a group photo.
Fellows exchange views on topics like AUKUS and potential opportunities for Australia-Japan cooperation, including at key naval bases like HMAS Stirling, part of Fleet Base West situated on the west coast of Australia.

Apply

Applications for 2025 are now open.

They will close at 12pm on Wednesday, 11 June 2025 AEST.

How to apply

Please email shizuka.takada@sydney.edu.au, and attach the following:

  • A cover letter: Including 1) your research interests and how you would include Japan in your research, 2) why you think the Japan-Australia relation is important, and 3) your research topic for this fellowship program.
  • Your Curriculum Vitae (CV): Including the details of at least two reference contacts.
  • A writing sample: Please note, writing samples will be used for selection purposes only. Applicants do not need to produce new writing for the application. Applicants are expected to submit a writing sample of approx. 1,500 words in length.
  • Any supporting documentation (if applicable)

Eligibility

Applicants must meet all of the following criteria:

  • Applicants must be citizens of Japan or Australia.
  • Applicants must have a total of three or more years of work experience in relevant fields or must be MPhil/PhD candidates (or hold MPhil/PhD) in relevant fields.

Please note, if you are currently employed by a government organisation, you must seek written permission from your manager before applying.

About the 2025 program

  • Field of research: The main theme for 2025 is the future of the free, open, and stable international order.
  • Number of awardees: 5 Australian and 5 Japanese Jade Fellows will be selected.
  • Publishing: Fellows are expected to publish two papers during the program.
  • Field trips: Japanese participants will travel to Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne from 17 August to 23 August 2025, and Australian participants will travel to Tokyo from 26 October to 1 November 2025.

Please note, Fellows’ transport, accommodation and meal costs will be covered by the program.

Benefits of the fellowship

  • Japanese participants: Fellows are provided with opportunities for mentorship, research assistance and engagement with the Australian Government, industry, and policy communities. Each fellow produces two written works as part of their residency on topics agreed upon with USSC experts. These include a policy brief to be completed before the residency commences and a longer project report to be completed after the trip to Australia has concluded. These works are published on the USSC and Japan Foundation’s websites.
  • Australian participants: Fellows are provided opportunities to engage with the Japan Foundation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Defense, key parliamentarians, and research institutes. Each fellow produces two written works as part of their fellowship on topics agreed upon with USSC experts. These include a policy brief to be completed before the field trip to Japan and a longer project report to be completed after the fellowship program has concluded. These works are published on the USSC and Japan Foundation’s websites.

Have questions?

Please send an email to Shizuka Takada. Your message can be in either English or Japanese.

Highlights from last year's program

Field trip to Australia

Our Japanese fellows toured Australia from July to August in 2024, visiting Sydney, Canberra and Perth.

In Sydney, the delegation had roundtable meetings with the USSC, the Lowy Institute and the Japan Bank of International Cooperation and visited HMAS Kuttabul (Fleet Base). In Australia's capital, Canberra, they visited 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.

In Perth, they met with the Perth USAsia Centre, Defence & Security Institute (DSI) at the University of Western Australia, Defence West, and the Japanese Consul General, Dr Naito. They also visited HMAS Stirling and Henderson Shipyard (Lurssen and Austal). The fellows concluded their Perth trip by discussing Japan's National Security Strategy 2022 with DSI and the distinguished guests, including former Defence Minister David Johnston, former Premier of WA and former Australian Ambassador to Japan Richard Court, among many others.

Participants of the program pose for a group photo.
As part of their engagement with regional partners, fellows attended a dinner hosted by Japanese Consul-General Yasushi Naito in Perth, Western Australia.
Participants of the program pose for a group photo.
Fellows gain insights into Australia’s defence industry ecosystem during a visit to Defence West, part of the Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation.

Field trip to Japan

The research trip to Japan for the Australian fellows was from 3 February to 7 February 2025. They visited Tokyo, Yokosuka and Yokohama.

In Tokyo, the delegation met with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Defense, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, Rep. Arfiya Eri, Keio Center for Strategy, National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies, Sasakawa Peace Foundation, Japan Institute for International Affairs, and the Australian Ambassador Justin Hayhurst and the Australian Embassy.

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

Participants of the program pose for a group photo.
Fellows get a firsthand look at Japan’s maritime capabilities, preparing for a tag boat tour of Yokosuka Naval Port following a briefing with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) Commandant of the Yokosuka District.
Participants stand for a group photo.
The Japan Foundation hosts a networking reception, connecting fellows with leaders in Japan’s academic and policy communities.
Participants stand for a group photo.
A warm welcome at the United States Studies Centre marks the start of the fellows’ immersive program.

Publications written by JADE Fellows

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

ASPI Strategist

What previous fellows have said about the program

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 engage with some of the most senior decision makers and advisors to the Japanese Government on might topic, as well 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
The JADE program was a life-changing opportunity to learn from some of the best security experts on Japan. The research trip to Tokyo was an unforgettable experience and I have made some great friends from the fellowship.
Australian Jade Fellow
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
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.
Japanese Jade Fellow
By far the best fellowship program that I have ever joined. Extremely informative and all sessions were very interesting.
Japanese Jade Fellow
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 a great amount of effort in making sure that 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

Our partners

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