Research, Teaching and Cultural Diplomacy: the current profile of Australian Studies in Japan

This discussion provides an overview of the current state of teaching and research about Australia within the Japanese higher education sector, based on a recent Review commissioned by the Australia-Japan Foundation (Darian-Smith 2010). It begins with an account of the development of Australian Studies as a field of inquiry within both Australia and Japan, and examines the role of Australian Studies as a contributor to public or cultural diplomacy between the two countries. The paper will then outline some of the Review’s key findings.