Press Releases
FY 2017 Japan-Australia Grassroots Exchange Programme Invitation to Those who are Associated with the Australian Former Prisoners of War (POWs) to Japan
1. The Japan-Australia Grassroots Exchange Programme started in FY 1997 and 120 Australian former POWs, their family members and other participants have been invited to Japan to this date. These visits have promoted the “heart-to-heart reconciliation and exchanges” between Japan and Australia that lead us to the future.
2. Under the Japan-Australia Grassroots Exchange Programme in this fiscal year, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs invites three people from the Returned and Services League of Australia, which has made significant contributions to this Programme, to Japan from December 5 to 9.
3. In light of the recent decrease in the number of former POWs who can travel to Japan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs consulted with the Returned and Services League of Australia and decided to conclude the Programme by holding commemorative events on December 7 in Tokyo and reviewing the achievements made through this Programme. The visiting delegation from the Returned and Services League of Australia will attend the commemorative event.
4. In addition to attending the event, the three member delegation will visit the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Yokohama Commonwealth War Cemetery in Hodogaya and will experience on Japanese culture.