Nikkei Australia’s mission is to preserve and promote the legacy of the Japanese diaspora in Australia through artistic, cultural, academic, educational, and community engagement activities.

Our core values include integrity and honesty, openness and innovation, support for the arts, open communication and sharing, and community mindedness.

Nikkei Australia was created in 2013 by a group of researchers who came together to facilitate the Civilian Internee Project. 

Nikkei Australia members include academics, creative practitioners, community cultural workers, and individuals from diverse ethnic or cultural backgrounds interested in documenting Nikkei histories and stories in Australia.

The success of our projects and activities relies on the skills, expertise, and experienced leadership of the members. 

Nikkei Australia’s Chair is Elysha Rei; Secretary is Mari Suzuki; Treasurer is Masako Fukui. They were elected by members in October 2022, and will serve a three year term, ending in October 2025.

To become a member of Nikkei Australia, please fill in the form here. From July 1 2024, we ask all members to pay an annual membership fee of $20. This is to pay for unavoidable annual costs associated with running our website, online accounts, and social media.

(Nikkei Australians are Japanese people who emigrated from Japan to Australia, their descendants, and their families.)