Greeting from the Consul-General
2026/1/1
Message from Consul-General: The Importance of People-to-People Ties
Happy New Year.
It has already been one year and two months since I took up my post in Melbourne. Last year I was fortunate to have the opportunity to visit various locations of the three states I am responsible for (Victoria, South Australia, and Tasmania), where I was able to meet many people, including state ministers and shadow ministers, business representatives including those from start-up companies, experts, journalists, cultural figures, and members of the Japanese community. I was also able to use the official residence to provide a forum for exchanges between related parties. This year, I will continue to make energetic efforts, striving to further strengthen the friendly and cooperative relations between our two countries.
Last year marked the 45th anniversary of the sister-state relationship between Aichi Prefecture and Victoria, with an Aichi delegation visiting Melbourne. Furthermore, the CPTPP Ministerial Meeting was held in Melbourne. Additionally, the Deputy Premier of Victoria and the Mayor of Melbourne visited Japan, where I welcomed them respectively and inspected the Osaka-Kansai Expo. I also met with leaders of sister prefectures and cities from both Japan and Australia. In addition to the Security Measures Liaison Council, I hosted separate meetings for Japanese students and working holidaymakers. In Adelaide, I participated in the launch of South Australia-Japan Parliamentary Friendship Group at the South Australian Parliament, while in Hobart, I held a conferral ceremony and reception to congratulate the award recipient. These experiences have made me feel strongly once again this year that the development of Japan-Australia relations to their current level is due to the tremendous efforts of people across a wide range of fields in both countries.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Japan-Australia Basic Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation. We shall continue to listen to your voices and strive to be a Consulate-General that is open to you and, where possible, one you can rely upon. Our efforts may be modest, but we shall do our utmost to ensure this year is a safe and happy one for you all, and that business and people-to-people exchanges between Japan and Australia continue to flourish.
1 January 2026
Consul-General of Japan in Melbourne
FURUYA Tokuro
It has already been one year and two months since I took up my post in Melbourne. Last year I was fortunate to have the opportunity to visit various locations of the three states I am responsible for (Victoria, South Australia, and Tasmania), where I was able to meet many people, including state ministers and shadow ministers, business representatives including those from start-up companies, experts, journalists, cultural figures, and members of the Japanese community. I was also able to use the official residence to provide a forum for exchanges between related parties. This year, I will continue to make energetic efforts, striving to further strengthen the friendly and cooperative relations between our two countries.
Last year marked the 45th anniversary of the sister-state relationship between Aichi Prefecture and Victoria, with an Aichi delegation visiting Melbourne. Furthermore, the CPTPP Ministerial Meeting was held in Melbourne. Additionally, the Deputy Premier of Victoria and the Mayor of Melbourne visited Japan, where I welcomed them respectively and inspected the Osaka-Kansai Expo. I also met with leaders of sister prefectures and cities from both Japan and Australia. In addition to the Security Measures Liaison Council, I hosted separate meetings for Japanese students and working holidaymakers. In Adelaide, I participated in the launch of South Australia-Japan Parliamentary Friendship Group at the South Australian Parliament, while in Hobart, I held a conferral ceremony and reception to congratulate the award recipient. These experiences have made me feel strongly once again this year that the development of Japan-Australia relations to their current level is due to the tremendous efforts of people across a wide range of fields in both countries.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Japan-Australia Basic Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation. We shall continue to listen to your voices and strive to be a Consulate-General that is open to you and, where possible, one you can rely upon. Our efforts may be modest, but we shall do our utmost to ensure this year is a safe and happy one for you all, and that business and people-to-people exchanges between Japan and Australia continue to flourish.
1 January 2026
Consul-General of Japan in Melbourne
FURUYA Tokuro