Australia Japan Association of South Australia

The Hon. J.S. LEE (15:25): As the shadow parliamentary secretary for multicultural affairs, I am honoured to rise to speak about the Australia Japan Association of South Australia—the AJA of SA—in parliament today. The AJA belongs to the National Federation of Australia-Japan Societies. The AJA was founded in 1967 by Toyohiro Tanaka to foster and promote friendship and understanding between Australia and Japan. I am sure the Hon. Rob Lucas would know this association very well, with his Japanese heritage.

I have had the great privilege of getting to know the AJA over the years, and I am always grateful for their warm friendship and generous hospitality at every meeting and event I have attended. The year 2017 marks an important and special year for the Australia Japan Association, because it is celebrating its 50^th anniversary. I would like to put on the public record my heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to my friends, including the hardworking president, Jim Stewart; the two vice-presidents, Ruriko Jordan and Kyoko Katayama; Ali Rawling, the public officer; the committee; and AJA members, business supporters and volunteers for promoting Japanese culture and connections, making wonderful contributions to enrich South Australia as a proud multicultural state in the last 50 years.

Their achievements and contribution can be clearly demonstrated through many activities. The association is an integral part of two significant Japanese cultural events in South Australia. For instance, their collaboration with the City of Salisbury has enabled our South Australian community to enjoy the Matsuri on Mobara festival in Mawson Lakes since 2008. They have also worked with the City of Burnside to host the Japanese Cultural Day at the Burnside Library since 2009.

Last week I was honoured to be a guest speaker at the 2017 annual Japanese Cultural Day at Burnside. It was wonderful to see the support of mayor David Parkin and the City of Burnside together with the endorsement by the newly appointed Japanese Consul-General, Mr Kazuyoshi Matsunaga, who made the special effort to be in Adelaide to open this event. It was a memorable first visit for him to Adelaide. We look forward to welcoming him back in the near future.

Cultural events organised by the AJA allow participants a window of opportunity to experience the rich Japanese culture through information sharing, martial arts demonstration, traditional kimono dressing, arts and craft workshops, tea ceremonies and Japanese food culture, as well as Japanese performances such as music and dance.

I would like to personally acknowledge and commend the AJA for their active participation in South Australia. I just love their passion and energy in the way they immerse themselves by participating in the annual OzAsia Festival and the Australia Day parade. They have also in the past helped two libraries hold an origami night to celebrate Harmony Day. Their resilient community spirit of making things happen has built a reputation beyond metropolitan Adelaide, as the AJA was invited to participate in the 25^th anniversary of Port Lincoln's sister city relationship with the Japanese city of Muroto as part of the iconic Tunarama Festival.

As honourable members know, South Australia's relationship with Japan has been longstanding, and Japan is South Australia's fifth biggest export market. When the earthquake and tsunami hit Japan in 2011 the AJA of SA was strongly involved in local Japanese memorial and fundraising activities. On 11 March every year since then, the AJA has held a tsunami memorial gathering to commemorate the tragedy and to raise money to help in projects dedicated to local schools and communities in the Tohoku region.

Ms Keiko Haneda, former Japanese Consul-General, honoured the AJA with an official commendation for their distinguished service in contributing to the deepening of mutual understanding and friendship between Japan and Australia. In her presentation, Ms Haneda highlighted the important work of the president, Jim Stewart, as one of the driving forces for the success and longevity of the AJA. Small businesses in Adelaide have also supported AJA in many ways: special thanks to Rob Del Duca of Caffe Amore for providing a home for AJA conversation meetings, and to Ginza Miyako Japanese Restaurant for hosting AJA annual dinners for a number of years.

It is very humbling to know so many community-minded members in AJA who are doing amazing work to build a vibrant multicultural South Australia. In closing, I am delighted to wish the Australia Japan Association of South Australia a very happy 50^th anniversary.