Indo-Pacific Cooperation Network

logo of Indo-Pacific Cooperation NetworkThe Japan Foundation (JF) and the Australian Institute of International Affairs (AIIA, headquartered in Canberra) will build and support the ‘Indo-Pacific Cooperation Network’, a network of next generation professionals focused on ‘Disaster Resilience’ issues in the Indo-Pacific region. Participants will focus on a particular social or policy aspect of the theme, for example, disaster communication, disaster preparedness, passing on the memory of disaster or international disaster response.

Over the course of the yearlong program, participants will be asked to develop their research during a series of tours and meetings across Japan, Australia and the South Pacific to connect with fellow future leaders, and to produce a final publication and/or policy recommendations toward regional cooperation.

During the program, participants will work individually or in small groups to conduct their own research activities and exchange ideas online. The results of each cohort will be disseminated through research papers and public symposiums.

JFIPP Network Fellowship Program

Application Guidelines

Applications for Cohort 3 are now open

overview
Eligibility
  • Applicants must be a citizen and resident of Japan, Australia, the Pacific Islands, Southeast or South Asia, or the United States of America
  • 5-10 years of work or research experience in an area with clear connections to disaster resilience or relevant fields
  • Abal ble to participate in discussions and prepare reports in English
  • to commit to one week travel in Japan, Australia and Oceania, plus occasional meetings in between travel
Schedule (3rd Cohort) Japan (1-8, March 2026)
Fiji/New Zealand (June 2026)
Australia (October to November 2026)
Items covered by the Program Round-trip discount economy class international airfare, domestic transportation,
accommodation, meals, applicable visa fees (if required), and overseas travel insurance.
Application Procedure For more information, please visit AIIA’s website.
Indo-Pacific Cooperation Network (jotform.com)
Application Deadline 6 January 2026

Meet the Fellows

Activity Report

Cohort 2 (2024-2025)

The second cohort fellows participated in the three study tours held in Japan (July 2024), Australia (November), and Fiji and New Zealand (March 2025). During the program, fellows engaged in site-visits and interactive discussions at disaster memorial sites, government offices, media organizations, and private entities, learning about the current state of disasters in different regions, as well as disaster resilience and regional collaboration. Through discussions with local stakeholders and among fellows, they exchanged knowledge, developed research collaborations and built valuable networks.

schedule
Japan Program (Tokyo/Ishinomaki/Minamisanriku/ Kobe. ) 21-28 July 2024
Australia Program (Canberra/Wollongong/ Sydney) 9-16 November 2024
Fiji(Suva)/New Zealand (Wellington) Program 16-21 March 2025
Cohort 2 Advisor
Mayumi Sakamoto (Professor, Graduate School of Disaster Governance and Resilience, University of Hyogo)
Hideyuki Miura (Professor, Graduate School of International Cooperation, Kyorin University)
Japan Program (21－28 July 2024)

  • Outdoors, several participants in the Japan training program are gathered around a Japanese man explaining disaster prevention equipment.

  • Participants in the Japan training program are having a discussion at the Japan Foundation's Tokyo headquarters.

  • A male participant in the Japan training program is pointing at a large map printed on the floor, while two other men observe him.

Australia Program (9-16 November 2024))

  • At an Australian fire station, 19 people—including trainees and firefighters—are posing for a commemorative photo in front of a fire truck.

  • The backs of training participants touring a facility with numerous monitors.

Fiji/New Zealand Program (16-21 March 2025)

  • Twelve people are taking a commemorative photo in front of the Parliament of the Republic of Fiji.

  • Indoors, participants sit facing each other in a circle and engage in discussion.

Cohort 1 (2023-2024)

The first cohort fellows joined the programs in Japan (September 2023), Australia (November 2023), and Fiji/ Tonga (March 2024). They learned about the current status of disasters and disaster prevention efforts in each country. They also visited relevant institutions and held discussions among the fellows to build international collaboration and networks on disaster reduction.

Schedule
Japan Program (Sendai/Kobe/Yokohama etc.) 13-20 September 2023
Australia Program (Canberra) 11-15 November 2023
Fiji/Tonga Program 10-17 March 2024
Cohort 1 Advisor
Mayumi Sakamoto (Professor, Graduate School of Disaster Governance and Resilience, University of Hyogo)
Japan Program (13-20 September 2023)
  • Photo of the visit to Minamisanriku town（Japan Program）
  • Photo of the discussion by participants (Japan Program)
Australia Program (11-15 November 2023)
  • Photo of the AIIA National Conference 1 (Australia Program)
  • Photo of the AIIA National Conference 2 (Australia Program)
Fiji/Tonga Program (10-17 March 2024)
  • Photo of the program activity 1 (Fiji/Tonga Program)
  • Photo of the program activity 2 (Fiji/Tonga Program)

Achievements and Cross-Cohort Networks

1. Emerging Cross-Cohort Networking

At the AIIA Annual General Meeting held in Canberra in November 2024, fellows from the first and second cohorts came together to share what they had learned through the program, reflect on its significance, and discuss how to sustain the network in the future

  • Inside, six people sit in a circle on chairs, facing each other and discussing.
  • Five people are seated side by side, with one woman standing in front of them as if hosting.

2. Cross-Cohort Collaborations: Presentations

3. Article Contributions

4. Media Coverage

＜Cohort 2＞

＜Cohort 1＞

AIIA Web Articles

[Contact us]

For questions about the 'Indo-Pacific Cooperation Network’ Program specifically, please contact:
info＠internationalaffairs.org.au
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For questions about the JFIPP Network Fellowship Program, please contact the following:
Secretariat of JFIPP Fellowship Program
Global Partnerships Department
The Japan Foundation (JF)
Tel: +81-(0)3-5369-6072
E-mail: JFIPP_network＠jpf.go.jp
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