Japan-Australia Dialogue and Exchange for Next Generation

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-Japan strategic cooperation 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.

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.

About last year's program

Field trip to Australia

The research trip to Australia for the Japanese fellows was from 29 July to 9 August 2024. They visited Sydney, Canberra and Perth.

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

In 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. They also networked with the Australian JADE fellows.

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.

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 (JSMDF) Yokosuka Naval Base and Yokohama for Mogami Class Frigate (FFM) Visit.

Apply

Applications for 2025 are now open and will close at 12pm on Wednesday, 11 June 2025 AEST.

How to apply

Please email the below documents—with the subject line "JADE for NextGen Application,"—to shizuka.takada@sydney.edu.au:

• 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.
• Curriculum Vitae (CV): Include at least two reference contacts in the CV.
• 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.
• Supporting documentation (if applicable): Please note, applicants who are currently employed by governmental organisations must submit written permission from their managers. The fellows are expected to publish two papers during the program.

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 government organisations you must seek written permission from your manager before applying.

More 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 in 2025.

Publishing

Fellows are expected to publish two papers during the program.

Field trips

Japanese participants: Fellows will travel to Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne from 17 August to 23 August 2025.

Australian participants: Fellows will travel to Tokyo from 26 October to 1 November 2025.

Note, the Fellows’ transport, accommodation and meal costs will be covered.

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.

What our 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.

I hope to continue supporting JADE while maintaining and deepening connections with my fellows from both Japan and Australia.

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).