The Australia–Japan Youth Dialogue is pleased to receive support from the Australian government through the Australia–Japan Foundation of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

The AJF grant will contribute to hosting the inaugural dialogue in Melbourne in May 2017.

The Australia–Japan Foundation was established in 1976 to 'expand and develop contact and exchange between the peoples of Australia and Japan and to help project positive images of Australia and Japan in each other's country'.

Australia's Foreign Minister, the Hon. Julie Bishop MP, noted that the AJF grants program is 'designed to strengthen links between our two countries by supporting activities that bring innovative perspectives to how we engage with Japan.'

The Foreign Minister recognised that 'Australia's special strategic partnership with Japan is vital to our economic, strategic and security interests. The projects will promote our partnership with Japan in areas including economic diplomacy, science, arts and culture, security and regional relations.'

Read the Foreign Minister's full statement on the AJF grants program here.

The AJYD Organising Committee congratulates all successful grant recipients and look forward to continuing our close association with the AJF.