Search

The paper visits some thoughts of educationists in the past to consider a sustainable future for Australian Japanese language education at the coal face of high attrition and scarcity of funds. Drawing upon the concept of 'andragogy' and a sociocultural approach to learning, the paper proposes that we should shed metaphorical walls outside of and in the classrooms in order to open access to more diverse resources and encourage more intense engagement by the learners in the classroom learning community. The new learning environment is termed 'a classroom without walls'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper examines the Japanese position on East Timor and highlights tension in bilateral relations between Australia and Japan on East Timor during the year 1999. The sources of tension were over leadership, appropriate policy towards indonesia and the style of diplomacy conducted by Australia. In many respects the tension over East Timor shook complacency in bilateral relations. By January 2001 tension was resolved and bilateral ties have been strengthened in the areas of security and regional cooperation. What does this episode reveal about the bilateral relationship? Quite clearly, and despite the depth of networks that have been established over the decades, there was insufficient consultation on East Timor. In pan, the extraordinary events that unfolded after the results of the ballot in East Timor were announced on 4 September 1999 and Australia's leadership role in the international Force in East Timor (INTERFET) can explain the lack of consultation. Also, a drift in relations that had been evident for several years was a significant factor. Finally, the paper argues that despite the substantial improvement in bilateral relations, policy towards Indonesia will remain a potential source of friction between the two countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is a diplomatic reflection based on a long connection with Australia and Australians and a posting to Canberra as Japanese ambassador (1998-2001). Key issues that have caused tension in the relationship and the process towards the development of mature bilateral relations are discussed. Finally, the paper argues that the bilateral relationship will continue to develop and prosper and that this is in the interests of both countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Language education for home-background speakers or heritage learners has recently attracted significant attention in many countries. This case study reports on some of the findings on these speakers' backgrounds, profiles and language identities, utilising the data collected from a survey and focus group interview with 10 tertiary-level Japanese home-background speakers. We found that although all are classified as ‘home-background speakers’, they are a very heterogeneous group of students in terms of their backgrounds and language identities. This paper also discusses the implications of the findings for Japanese language education designed for this group of students, and points to the necessity of understanding the diverse needs of these students when educators are developing courses of study for them. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This paper reviews the state of Japanese language teaching today, discussing 'things to celebrate' to 'things to lament and think about'. The former include the 'normalisation' of Japanese language teaching, its strength at all levels (particularly in numerical terms) and the achievement of a home-grown Australian capacity in Japanese studies. The latter centre on the high rates of attrition in Japanese, the dissatisfaction of learners which leads to this, and the corrosive effects of failure, not only on the learners themselves, but on the community's future expectations. It surveys six phases in the history of Japanese language teaching, and previews the results of a major research project on the views of students of Japanese in primary and secondary schools, discussing the implications of these views and experiences for the directions in which we must move in future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper assesses the impact of recent upgrades in security ties between Australia and Japan and their implications for the bilateral relationship. In particular, the development and future of the Joint Declaration on Security Cooperation (JDSC) is assessed. It is argued that former Prime Ministers Abe and Howard encouraged the enhancement of security ties to unprecedented new highs, but that the rise of China and leadership change in Japan and Australia in 2007 will make the prospects of a full security treaty unlikely. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The intense controversy over Japanese investment in Australia in the late 1980s continues to attract academic attention as a significant episode in Australia-Japan relations. This paper addresses two limitations of the existing literature. Firstly, it situates the controversy in the political economy of foreign investment policy liberalisation. This is important to an understanding of to what degree it was fundamentally a Japan-related or a foreign investment-related issue. How it became both provides insights into the dynamics of Australia--Japan relations in that era. Secondly, why the Australian government reaffirmed its commitment to liberal non-discriminatory policy in the face of popular disquiet is examined directly. This complements the existing rich literature on the negative reactions to Japanese investment and may help to provide a fuller picture of the domestic sources of stability in Australia--Japan relations in that period. It also highlights the historical magnitude of the Howard government's recent apparent abrogation of the non-discriminatory principle in foreign investment policy with the Australia--US Free Trade Agreement of February 2004 and the questions so raised about the Australia--Japan bilateral relationship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper considers the evolving Australia--Japan bilateral relationship. Key issues discussed include the `drift' and `neglect' in bilateral relations in the 1990s, the current state of the economic relationship, the proliferation of Free Trade Agreements and future directions. A central theme is the importance of bilateral ties for both countries and that shared visions such as building regional cooperation through APEC might be compromised by the proposed Free Trade Agreement between Australia and the United States. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]