Message from the Consul-General

February 2024

Happy New Year everyone.
 
2024 began under difficult circumstances, with a major earthquake striking Japan and a serious aircraft collision occurring at Haneda Airport. Here in Queensland, we have also dealt with the impact of damaging storms that occurred between Christmas and New Year. I pray that your families and loved ones were not impacted by these events. I also wish to convey my deepest condolences to the victims, and to offer my heartfelt sympathy to those affected and their families.
 
The saving grace of these tragedies has been the orderly and dignified conduct of those affected on the Noto Peninsula, and that while the lives of five Japan Coast Guard crew were tragically lost, the 379 passengers and crew aboard the Japan Airlines’ aircraft were able to safely escape without a single casualty. Although these disasters have been unspeakably sad, they were also moments that once again showed the resilience and character of the Japanese people to the world. This is something I believe should be acknowledged without exaggeration, and something I sensed that we, as Japanese people, felt very proud of.   
 
At the same time, I would also like to once again convey my respects to members of the Self Defence Forces (SDF) and the Japan Coast Guard (JCG). As foreign diplomacy and national defence are often said to be cornerstones of the nation, the Ministry of Defence, the SDF, and the JCG are colleagues who work in tandem with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to protect the country together. I have personally worked together with members of these organisations on several occasions, and am still connected with them today. When I heard that the captain of the JCG’s aircraft which was involved in the accident was a junior colleague of a friend of mine, and that this friends’ family had also been affected, I felt the impact even more directly.
 
Members of the SDF and the JCG, along with our own Ministry, have Japan at the forefront of our minds and a strong sense of patriotism. I believe that those associated with foreign diplomacy and defence should have a healthy awareness of this. The accident involving the JCG aircraft happened during the delivery of relief supplies to the areas affected by the Noto Peninsula earthquake, which brings me unbearable sadness. I would like to once more pray for those who lost their lives in the accident.
 
Now, regarding the Consulate-General’s aims for this year, our fundamental goals remain the same. Our primary mission is to provide consular services for the safety and security of Japanese residents and visitors to the region. In addition, we will continue our efforts gathering information on politics and the economy, supporting Japanese companies and relationships with local governments, and promoting exchange between Australia and Japan.
 
This year, local government elections are scheduled for March and the state legislative election are scheduled for October. I have also heard that the federal election may also be held during the second half of this year and the first half of next year, so we are keeping a close eye on any election-related developments. In this federal country, each state has considerably strong authority over the trade and investment sectors and industrial policies. Japan has deep economic ties with Australia, and state government trends and policies can have a significant impact on our nation, so we will be following these developments closely.
 
Furthermore, we hope to engage in people-to-people exchanges, which form the foundation of these political and economic relations. We believe it is important to support the activities of Japanese associations, companies, and residents in Australia, rather than acting on our own. Please get in touch with us if there are any new projects in addition to the regular yearly events.
 
Turning now to the movement of people, direct flights from the Gold Coast to Japan ended in the latter half of last year, and overall, the flow of visitors from Australia to Japan is more prevalent than in the other direction. However, Qantas airways and Jetstar are now offering daily flights between Brisbane and Narita Airport, and a new route to Kansai International Airport has also opened, so there are high hopes for the future. We are also confident that Japanese airlines may once again operate flights to Queensland in the near future.
 
We at the Consulate-General would like to provide whatever support we can to increase the number of visitors from Japan, and to promote a well-balanced flow of people in both directions. From this perspective, exchange programs and everyday initiatives run by local governments and schools may seem modest, but they unequivocally increase interest in Australia, and I believe are an important way to grow the number of Japanese people with an appreciation for Australia in Japan. In any case, I hope that this year will be even more active in terms of exchange-related activities.
 
Finally, I would like to make announcement regarding our consular services. Until now, visa applications have been handled in person at the Consulate, however from February 1 we have begun accepting electronic applications for tourist visas. From February 5, visitors to the Consulate are also now required to make an appointment online in advance for most consular services. This means that visits related to the application, notification, and issuance of passports and other documents, along with most other services, must be booked online in advance before visiting our office.
 
The number of people travelling to or staying in Japan has greatly increased in recent years, and document submissions by Japanese residents have also risen, particularly during the school holiday period, and we are no longer able to keep pace at our current capacity using the procedures we have followed until now.
 
This has significantly increased the waiting time for visitors to the Consulate, and has become an issue for both visitors and staff, so the decision has been made to update our system. For further information, please refer to the consular notices on our website.
 
Finally, although this year has begun on a sad note, I hope that you will all continue to work towards your own goals in 2024. We look forward to your support for us here at the Consulate to further develop the ties between Japan and Australia.
I wish you all good health and happiness for the year ahead.