On 30 Jun 2026, the AJBCC with the National Federation of Australia-Japan Societies co-hosted a Gala Dinner to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the signing of the Basic Treaty of Friendship and Co-operation between Australia and Japan, also known as the NARA Treaty.
We were honoured to receive warm video messages of support for the relationship from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae of Japan; and to hear heartfelt speeches from Foreign Minister Senator The Hon Penny Wong and Mr Horii Iwao, State Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan, about how the huge and growing national interest-based relationship between Australia and Japan has been underpinned by the very people-to-people relationships the NARA Treaty was established to nurture. That importance was underscored by the strong bipartisan nature of attendance at the political level, including the President of the Senate, Hon Senator Sue Lines, and the Deputy President, Senator Slade Brockman, The Treasurer the Hon Jim Chalmers MP, Trade Minister Senator the Hon Don Farrell, Minister for Resources and Northern Australia the Hon Madeleine King, Shadow Foreign Minister the Hon Ted O’Brien MP, representing the leader of the Opposition, Leader of the Nationals, Hon Matthew Canavan, and Senator the Hon Susan McDonald, Shadow Minister for Resources, as well as a multitude of senior members of both Chambers from across the political spectrum, the Australian and Japanese Ambassadors Andrew Shearer and Kazuhiro SUZUKI, and a large array of people who have contributed to all aspects of the bilateral relationship over decades.
Guests were also treated to a smorgasbord of entertainment, from the rolling drums of Byron Taiko to a vivacious segment from Melanie Brock AM and celebrity chef Adam Liaw on the influence of Japanese food on the development of modern, multicultural Australian fusion food, and the custom-produced melodies of Australian Shakuhachi Player Anne Norman and Japanese Didgeridoo player Sanshi, backed by the Japanese Taiko drums.
We thank our co-host the NFAJS, Event Partner the Australia-Japan Foundation (itself celebrating its 50th Anniversary), our platinum sponsors Chevron Australia, INPEX Corporation, JERA Australia, Mitsubishi Australia Ltd, Mitsui & Co. (Australia) Ltd. TAL Australia, Tivan Limited, and Woodside Energy, and gold sponsors, Gilbert + Tobin, Hancock Iron Ore, Marubeni Corporation, M Resources, MUFG, Port of Newcastle, and all our supporting partners for their attendance and most of all for their support for the great partnership between Australia and Japan.
Our thanks too, to our dedicated Steering Committee and all involved in organising event.