Welcome to the Australia Japan Society
Far North Queensland
About the Society
The Australia Japan Society of FNQ Inc., found in Cairns Queensland, is a not for profit, incorporated society, with the following objectives:
- To promote goodwill, friendship and mutual understanding between the peoples of Australia and Japan, with particular emphasis on strengthening relationships between the Cairns region and its Japanese Sister Cities, being:
- Minami Town (formerly Hiwasa), and
- Oyama City.
- To encourage the study and appreciation of Japanese language and culture, particularly among high school students and young people in Far North Queensland.
- To promote and facilitate educational exchange opportunities between Australia and Japan, including:
- student exchange programs;
- scholarships and financial assistance initiatives;
- school partnerships and sister-school relationships; and
- collaboration with businesses and community sponsors to reduce financial barriers to participation in long-term exchange programs.
- To encourage grassroots exchanges, including community delegations, reciprocal visits and collaborative initiatives between Cairns residents and residents of Minami and Oyama.
- To collaborate with all levels of government, educational institutions, business communities and Japanese associations in Cairns and beyond to strengthen bilateral relationships and maximise community impact.
- To promote awareness of significant milestones in Australia–Japan relations, including anniversaries and treaty commemorations, and to use such occasions as opportunities to deepen engagement and shared celebration.
Membership
Committee
To contact the current committee, please email info@ajsfnq.org.au.
As an incorporated community group, we take our members and volunteer privacy seriously and do not share personal information with other organisations or groups but encourage persons with an interest in Japan, it’s language, food and culture to contact us and be involved with our objectives.
Functions
The volunteer committee and society aim to create as often as practical, friendly community based fun events for friendship and sometimes fundraising.
If you wish to assist the society and be part of the team, please contact info@ajsfnq.org.au
Networking
The volunteer committee aim to create events that often have an element of networking through practical and friendly activities.
If you wish to aid the society and be part of the team, please contact info@ajsfnq.org.au
Sister Cities
Minami, Japan (formerly Hiwasa) – since 1969
The AJS FNQ committee and members are enthusiastic and value the relationships with all Japan cities but in particularly the two Cairns / Japan Sister Cities, (SC)
PRE COVID there were annual SC teacher / student visits to Cairns. The AJS FNQ also arranged an annual Student Scholarship Program, sending two Cairns students (Yr. 9,10,11) for a four to six week “Japan life” changing experience, each visiting one of two Cairns / Japanese Sister Cities.
Cairns, Japanese Sister Cities:
Oyama, Japan – since 2006
This Sister City is located approximately 40 minutes north of Tokyo on the bullet train, where you will find a vibrant city of around 160,000 people (which is similar to Cairns), surrounded by centuries-old rice fields and industrial mega-factories for some of Japan’s biggest companies, Oyama is well known for its mix of traditional and contemporary lifestyles.
