In February 1973, the Japanese fishing vessel Nisshin Maru No. 8 struck Pedra Branca, a small rock islet located off the southern coast of Tasmania, and sank. Only one of the 22 members of the crew survived. This tragedy is commemorated by the Tasmanian Seafarers' Memorial in Triabunna.

The Japanese Language and Culture Exchange in Hobart group has been running for more than ten years. Yesterday, we welcomed our 1000th member. And today we enjoyed one of our largest-ever meetups, with 24 people from around the world coming together to make new connections and to exchange languages.

The Australian Institute of International Affairs Tasmania is delighted to be hosting The Hon. Lisa Singh, CEO of the Australia India Institute, for a talk on middle power climate diplomacy and the potential for an Australia-India partnership. Registrations: aiiatas.glueup.com/event/9-apri...

The City of Hobart Urban Sustainability Grants are for individuals or groups who are eager to make a positive environmental difference. You can apply for up to $15,000 in areas such as waste reduction, energy efficiency initiatives and community gardens. Applications close on 17 April 2026.

Exporting Tasmanian ale and cider to Japan Two Metre Tall Brewery, owned and run by Jane and Ashley Huntington, produces a range of ales and ciders using farm-grown Tasmanian ingredients and wild fermentation. They exported their first pallets to Japan in 2020 and now send a container each year.

Late last year, the Tasmanian Tonic Company shipped their first batch of tonic water and soda to Japan. That shipment has just arrived in Osaka and will soon be hitting the shelves. It was wonderful to meet the founders, Dina and Andrew Gregson, at Salamanca Market today and to hear their story.

On Tuesday evening, the Australian Institute of International Affairs Tasmania was delighted to host the Consul-General of Japan in Melbourne, Mr Tokuro Furuya. In front of a large audience, the Consul-General shared his insights into Japanese foreign policy under Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.

Celebrating Japanese connections at Hobart’s Farm Gate Market. Masaaki has recently returned to the market after a long absence. His sushi stall sells local Tasmanian seafood and is deservedly popular. The temaki (hand-rolled sushi) is made to order and is some of the best that I’ve ever tasted.

Congratulations to Nadeshiko Japan for their victory in last night’s final of the Women's Asian Cup 2026. The Matildas did Australia proud but, ultimately, it was a breathtaking goal from Maika Hamano that carried the day. Members of the community enjoyed the match together on Parliament Lawns.

The City of Hobart is hosting a free community watch party on Parliament Lawns this evening. Come and watch the Matildas play Nadeshiko Japan in the final of the Women's Asian Cup 2026. Pre-game coverage will start from 7pm, with the match itself beginning at 8pm.

Today is the first-ever Australian Red Cross Giving Day. From 8am to 8pm AEDT on Thursday 19 March, every donation that you make is doubled.

On 1 March, I was delighted to attend a Lantern Festival Dinner hosted by the Taiwanese Association of Tasmania. Members of the local community came together to reflect on the past year and to celebrate new beginnings. Thank you to Little Poet Patisserie cafe for the delicious vegetarian food!

While Hobart may lack a Chinatown, the stories of early Chinese migrants and their descendants linger across the city.

It was great to meet Taz from Spring Bay Distillery at Salamanca Market. Spring Bay's Tawny Port Cask was named the Best Oceania Single Malt Whisky at the 2023 Tokyo Whisky and Spirits Competition. This was followed last year with a Gold Medal for their Solera Muscat Cask Finish. Congratulations!

The Australian Institute of International Affairs Tasmania is delighted to present this special event with the Consul-General of Japan in Melbourne, Mr Tokuro Furuya, on 24 March 2026. Registrations: aiiatas.glueup.com/event/24-mar...

It was a whirlwind conclusion to the tour of southern Tasmania for my guests from Japan. On Friday and Saturday, we visited Mount Field National Park and the Derwent Valley, Street Eats @ Franko, Salamanca Market and the Huon Valley.

You can always rely on Bruny Island to deliver the goods. Thanks to Bruny Island Cheese and Beer Company, Get Shucked Oysters and Bruny Island Honey for helping to make it a very memorable day for my Japanese visitors.

I’m spending the next six days showing a group of visitors from Japan around Tasmania. And to kick things off, a perfect Hobart moment: the view from the summit of kunanyi/Mount Wellington on Wednesday evening as the French Antarctic vessel, L’Astrolabe, comes into port.

Tonight (Tuesday 3 March) sees the last total lunar eclipse until 2029. The show will begin at 8.50pm and end at 12.17am AEDT, with totality lasting from 10.04pm to 11.02pm AEDT. Viewing conditions in Hobart are looking good right now. Enjoy!

As record numbers of Australians travel to Japan, they are falling in love with the clean and crisp taste of Japanese beer.

Australian Red Cross held the inaugural Red Connect Tasmania summit today, bringing members, volunteers and supporters together to explore how local action can strengthen communities. Highlights included a performance by the Choir of High Hopes and a talk by Mitch McPherson of SPEAK UP! Stay ChatTY.

Thank you to the Tasmania State Office of DFAT for the invitation to attend today’s celebration of International Women’s Day 2026. It was an inspirational event, with the highlight being a powerful speech by the Australian Ambassador for Gender Equality, the Hon Michelle O'Byrne.

NHK recently reported on the story of the Cyprus Mutiny, including a visit to Tebajima by a descendant of one of the mutineers. This improbable historical encounter continues to bring people from Tasmania and Japan together, nearly two centuries later.

Good governance is essential for community groups to succeed in their missions. That's why I'm thrilled to see that The Governance Hub Inc. is working with Clubs Tasmania to run free, hands-on governance workshops around Tasmania during April. Register here: events.humanitix.com/governance-w...

The Australia-Japan Society of Tasmania was delighted to join the 2026 Lunar New Year Festival at Parliament Lawns in Hobart. Thousands of people from all walks of life came together in a spirit of peace and harmony to celebrate the Year of the Horse and Tasmania’s cultural diversity.

Happy Birthday to Wain, the world's oldest-known wombat, who recently turned 37. Wain lives at Satsukiyama Zoo in Ikeda, Osaka Prefecture, and is a goodwill ambassador for Ikeda's sister city of Launceston, Tasmania. The special occasion was celebrated with a livestreamed birthday party.

On Friday evening, I was honoured to open the Prevailing Gales exhibition by Sue Pedley at the Maritime Museum of Tasmania. Prevailing Gales is inspired by the voyage of the Cyprus from Tasmania to Japan and the remarkable encounter, in January 1830, between the mutineers and the local samurai.

While in Melbourne, I was sure to visit Shimbashi Soba for a taste of Tasmanian soba noodles. One of the motivations for establishing a Tasmanian buckwheat industry in the 1980s was that the southern seasons mean that Japanese consumers can enjoy premium shinsoba (new season soba) twice a year.

I was delighted to attend a reception hosted by the Consul-General of Japan in Melbourne, Mr Tokuro Furuya, in honour of the 66th birthday of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan. It was a wonderful opportunity to make new connections and to celebrate the relationship between our two countries.

On Sunday, I was delighted to attend the Japanese Arawa Festival in Latrobe. Held alongside the Mersey River on a perfect summer's day, the event brought the local community together to celebrate Japanese culture and the connections with Tasmania.

Japanese Economy, Critical Minerals and the Energy Transition Tuesday 17 February, 2-4.30pm AEDT In-person and online This free seminar will examine Japan’s economic outlook and its strategic position in the global energy transition. Further information: sydney.jpf.go.jp/events/econo...

Bluesky is the new science Twitter, new study by @whysharksmatter.bsky.social and Julia Wester concludes! "Results show that for every reported professional benefit that scientists once gained from Twitter, scientists can now gain that benefit more effectively on Bluesky than on Twitter."

What do current geopolitical challenges mean for the Australia-US alliance? The Australian Institute of International Affairs Tasmania is hosting the @usstudiescentre.bsky.social for a moderated conversation. Please join us and share your thoughts. Registrations: aiiatas.glueup.com/event/4-marc...

Red Connect Tasmania is a FREE community summit bringing together stories, music and practical ideas that show how small actions can make a big difference across Hobart and Tasmania. Further information: events.humanitix.com/red-connect-...

The Japanese Arawa Festival is a free, community-based cultural festival. Activities include a yakisoba food stall, Japanese dance performances, an origami experience and a calligraphy booth. Everyone welcome! Facebook event page: www.facebook.com/events/14352...

From 20 February to 24 May 2026, the Maritime Museum Tasmania will present Prevailing Gales by Tasmanian-born artist Sue Pedley. This exhibition invites visitors into an atmospheric reimagining of the 1830 meeting between Tasmanian convicts aboard the brig Cyprus and samurai from Japan’s Awa Domain.

Please join the Australian Institute of International Affairs Tasmania for this event with Anna Hansen. In discussion with Jeffrey McGee, Anna will reflect on challenges for middle powers and developing nations in a "might is right" world. Further information: aiiatas.glueup.com/event/17-feb...

Extreme Heat Awareness Day 2026: Australia needs a heatwave plan Join this webinar at 2pm on Wednesday to hear from people delivering frontline support for communities and to be part of setting the agenda for a heat-safe Australia. Register here: events.humanitix.com/extreme-heat...

Award-winning Japanese comedian Takashi Wakasugi will be performing in Hobart on 21 March as part of this year's Hobart Festival of Comedy. The first show at 6pm is sold out, but tickets have now been released for a second show at 4pm. Get tickets here: www.moshtix.com.au/v2/event/tak...

The Youth Advisory Committee at Australian Red Cross Tasmania is looking for passionate young people from across the state to help shape the future of youth action. Apply now by following the link below or email [email protected] to find out more. jobs.dayforcehcm.com/en-AU/ausred...

On 2 January, I had the privilege of attending the Imperial Palace in Tokyo for the traditional New Year’s greeting. His Majesty The Emperor expressed concerns for those who have experienced difficulties during the past year due to natural disasters. He also wished for a peaceful year ahead.

I welcomed the Year of the Horse at Zojoji Temple in Tokyo. Following the Buddhist tradition of joya no kane, the temple bell was rung 108 times at midnight to cleanse everyone of their worries and allow them to begin the new year afresh. Wishing you all a happy and healthy year ahead.

I'm back in Japan for the next five weeks and enjoying the crisp, clear weather. At Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, the last lingering traces of the autumn colours look gorgeous in the winter sunshine. It's definitely one of my happy places in Tokyo.

I’m deeply honoured to have had my contributions towards scientific research and the Australia-Japan relationship acknowledged in the Tasmanian Parliament. Tasmania and Japan have so much in common. I look forward to continuing to build bridges between them for many more years to come.

The Australia-Japan Society of Tasmania held a reception at Government House last night to celebrate its 55th anniversary. Our members and friends gathered together to celebrate not only our long and extraordinary history, but also the strength of the relationship between Tasmania and Japan.

I enjoyed a tour of the world’s largest battery-electric ferry as part of today’s open day at Incat. The China Zorrilla will enter service next year between Argentina and Uruguay. It’s wonderful to see Tasmania play a world-leading role in the transition towards zero-emissions transport.

It's been a while, but it was great to dust off my ikebana skills today.

The Australian Institute of International Affairs Tasmania held its annual Government House Lecture on Monday. We were delighted to welcome @lgflake.bsky.social, CEO of the @perthusasia.bsky.social, who spoke on the topic of "One Year of Trump Two: Implications of an Epochal Shift for Australia".

On Wednesday evening, I was deeply humbled to be presented with the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette, by Consul-General Tokuro Furuya. It was a beautiful ceremony that allowed me to thank my family, friends and mentors for believing in me and for supporting me over the years.

I was honoured to represent Australian Red Cross at this morning's Remembrance Day Service at Kingston Beach. Lest we forget.