Past Events – Australia Japan BusinessWomen's Network

May 21, 2025

Celebrating International Women’s Day 2025

This year, we hosted two signature face-to-face events in NSW and VIC. See the details below;

NSW – March Forward: Achieving a Cross-Cultural Career

The Australia-Japan Businesswomen’s Network (AJBWN) Sydney Chapter and the Australia-Japan Society of NSW Inc. (AJS-NSW) came together with an inspiring group of professionals to celebrate International Women’s Day 2025 with support from Consulate-General of Japan in Sydney.

From engaging discussions to new connections made, the night was a true testament to the power of cross-cultural leadership and career growth. We were honoured to hear the Inspiring interview with Ms Wendy Holdenson (Mitsui & Co. (Australia) Ltd.), sharing invaluable leadership insights from her journey across the Australia-Japan career landscape.

March 2025

VIC – Business Across Border

The Australia-Japan Businesswomen’s Network (AJBWN) VIC Chapter was proud to partner with the Australia Japan Business Council of Victoria (AJBCV) to host the 𝐒𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧’𝐬 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭 in Melbourne!

This event will also be co-hosted by Global Victoria, Pitcher Partners and RMIT University.

Inspiring panel discussion with senior business leaders followed by a traditional high tea with like-minded people was undoubtedly a great way to celebrate IWD 2025! Thank you for those who attended this event.

March 2025

May 21, 2025

AJBWN Kansai Chapter Launch

Celebrating a significant milestone with the official launch of our Kansai chapter!

The inspiring and highly successful networking lunch at GARB Weeks in Osaka brought together 25 enthusiastic attendees, and we were truly uplifted by the energy, warmth, and sense of community that filled the room.

What made this event so special?

🌸 𝐃𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬: Women from various industries across Kansai came together, sharing unique perspectives and experiences that enriched the conversation.
🌸 𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐌𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬: Participants shared their stories of challenges and triumphs, fostering an atmosphere of mutual encouragement and empowerment.
🌸 𝐀 𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐞: Whether it was someone’s first event or one of many, everyone felt valued and supported in this inclusive environment.

This incredible event underscored the strength, potential, and resilience of women in the Australia-Japan business community, creating new connections and laying the foundation for future collaboration and growth

January 2025

May 21, 2025

Tokyo – Re-launching & 1 year Anniversary

To mark this important milestone since our Australian national launch in October 2023, our Tokyo Chapter hosted a special weekend lunch in Tokyo.

With a full house of over 40 attendees at the charming Kunisawa Brewing Co, we commemorated this milestone with a relaxed and vibrant weekend lunch right in the heart of Tokyo 🥂🍻 It was a fantastic afternoon of reconnecting with old friends, making new ones, and sharing inspiring conversations. Seeing the Australia-Japan business community come together—from seasoned professionals to aspiring leaders—was truly special!

A special highlight was the official re-launch of our Tokyo chapter, led by our new in-country Chair, Yayoi Ashikaga, who was instrumental in making this event a reality. We were also grateful to see many familiar faces coming from Australia!

October 2024

May 21, 2025

QLD – DEI Leadership through 20-year career

The Queensland Chapter of the Australia-Japan Businesswomen’s Network (AJBWN) partnered with DLA Piper to host an inspiring evening featuring Mr. Tak Adachi, Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner, North Asia, Trade and Investment Queensland

Event Highlights

Tak shared his personal journey in championing 𝐃𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲, 𝐄𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐭𝐲, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 (𝐃𝐄𝐈) throughout his impressive 20-year career.

The 𝐓𝐨𝐤𝐲𝐨 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐐𝐮𝐞𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝 (𝐓𝐈𝐐) was spotlighted as a leading example of a workplace that has thrived under his inclusive leadership.

The room was filled with 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠-𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐠𝐮𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬, eager to celebrate Tak’s two decades of empowering others and leading by example.

A captivating 𝐨𝐧𝐞-𝐨𝐧-𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 by AJBWN Co-Chair for QLD Melissa I. (and Tak’s former TIQ Tokyo colleague) provided further insights into Tak’s leadership, illustrating his early advocacy for DEI and its profound benefits – from fostering different perspectives to engaging with diverse stakeholders.

On stage from left: Melissa Inooka, Tak Adachi

September 2024

May 21, 2025

Webinar – Quietly Powerful Leadership

We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined our 𝗤𝘂𝗶𝗲𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝗣𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽: 𝗨𝗻𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗸 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗛𝗶𝗱𝗱𝗲𝗻 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵 webinar co-hosted with the Australia Japan Business Co-operation Committee (AJBCC)!

Featuring the remarkable insights of Megumi Miki, renowned author and leadership consultant, the event delved into how quieter leaders can leverage their unique strengths to lead effectively and make a significant impact.

A special shoutout to Ashurst and the team at the Australia Japan Business Council of Victoria (AJBCV) for organising a “viewing party” in Melbourne, creating a wonderful hybrid event with opportunities for in-person networking and discussions.

Two lucky participants won the copy of signed book! Thank you Megumi-san for your generosity.

June 2024

May 21, 2025

AJBWN Perth Chapter Inaugural Event

The Australia-Japan Businesswomen’s Network (AJBWN) co-hosted, with Norton Rose Fulbright (NRF) and Xodus, the inaugural Perth Chapter event! Yvonne Yap (NRF Senior Associate) moderated a panel discussion on the Australia – Japan relationships and “Empowering Women in Energy”, with guest speakers Ayumi Sugita (TOKYO GAS AUSTRALIA PTY LTD) Dr Simone de Morton (CO2CRC Limited) and Celeste Koravos (Xodus, Australia Japan Business Council of Victoria (AJBCV)

Key Takeaways from the Panel and Audience Q&A: Opportunities and challenges that arise from the AJ energy space: The importance of a diverse pool of talent in achieving net-zero; How we can not only attract and retain but also empower women to take leadership roles; and The opportunity to use characteristics that are traditionally seen as disadvantageous as an advantage.

Thank you to each attendee, for your kind attentiveness and willingness to engage!

May 2024

May 21, 2025

Webinar Series: Bilingual Parenting with Championing ‘Ikugyo’

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us for our webinar 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗥𝗲𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗱: 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 ‘𝗜𝗸𝘂𝗴𝘆𝗼’ 𝗶𝗻 𝗝𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗲-𝗔𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗕𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗛𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀 hosted by the Australia-Japan Businesswomen’s Network (AJBWN) in partnership with Ashurst!

We extend our gratitude to our wonderful speakers, the Ogawa-Javes family (Ian Javes and Natsuko Ogawa) and the Flynn-Forsyth family (Joe Flynn and Iori Forsyth) for their insightful perspectives on navigating the unique challenges and joys of raising children in bilingual homes.

From left: Joe Flynn, Iori Forsyth, Natsuko Ogawa, Ian Javes

May, 2024

February 22, 2024May 21, 2025

Celebrating International Women’s Day 2024

We had a series of events to celebrate International Women’s Day in 2024. It kicked off with a webinar where Ms Nancy Gordon, Commissioner General for Australia – World Expo Osaka Kansai 2025, shared an inspiring career story followed by 2 face-to-face events in NSW and VIC. See the details below;

AJBWN Webinar – IWD 2024 Special

We were honoured to have Nancy Gordon, Commissioner General for Australia, World Expo Osaka Kansai 2025, Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade as our esteemed guest speaker. Nancy shared invaluable insights into her remarkable career journey and her pivotal role in strengthening Australia-Japan ties🇯🇵🇦🇺 And let’s not forget the exciting sneak peek she gave us into the program planned for Australia at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai!

A heartfelt thank you to the 77 attendees who joined our very first online event

NSW – “Breaking Barriers for Women’s Inclusion”

“Breaking Barriers for Women’s Inclusion” event, hosted by the Sydney chapter of the Australia-Japan Businesswomen’s Network (AJBWN) together with the Australia-Japan Society of NSW Inc. (AJS-NSW) with support from the Australia Japan Business Co-operation Committee (AJBCC)! Special thanks to a venue sponsor, KPMG.

Our esteemed VIP speakers, both renowned experts in their respective fields, graciously shared their invaluable insights, wisdom, and expertise on empowering women and breaking down barriers in the Australia-Japan business landscape.
Their captivating presentations and thought-provoking discussions left a lasting impact on the attendees, inspiring us to push boundaries and embrace new opportunities for growth and success

From left, Anita Byrnes (AJS), Ayumi Takaku (AJBWN), Jo Keiko Terasawa, Kaori Terauchi, Iori Forsyth (AJBWN)

VIC – IWD Afternoon Tea

In Melbourne, we have hosted a Hotel Windsor Afternoon Tea Networking event inviting female Australia Japan industrial professionals on the panel. This evet was co-hosted with Australia Japan Business Council Victoria (AJBCV). This annual signature event in Melbourne was very popular and all the 100 tickets were sold out.

If you are based in VIC, don’t miss it next year!

August 29, 2023May 21, 2025

Nadeshiko Japan Public Viewings

The FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 was jointly hosted by Australia and New Zealand. As we locate in the host country, we hosted public viewing events to cheer for the Japanese female professionals – Nadeshiko Japan.

The first event (Japan x Norway) was on 5th August at Woollahra Hotel with a special guest, Ms Keiko Tanaka, who plays for Gladsville Ravens as a midfielder. With the stuuning win agains Norway and made to the last 8, we came together again on 11th August at The Sporting Globe / 4 Pines Brewing on King Street Wharf with a special guest, Ms Yoshimi Miki, who plays for Marconi Stallion FC as a goalkeeper. The second event was co-hosted with Australia Japan Society of NSW.

Regardless of the result, Nadeshiko Japan made us so proud!!

The Women’s World Cup has been an incredible opportunity for our Australia-Japan community to come together and connect with Japanese female soccer players thriving in Australia. Thank you for joining us in supporting the Japanese female national team!

Ms Keiko Tanaka answering intervies moderated by Mr Tats Kato

Ms Yoshimi Miki in the middle with Mr Tats Kato and Ms Iori Forsyth, with our iconic Daruma “Daru-chan”

Japanese female soccer players in NSW and organisers

August 29, 2023August 29, 2023

We are now “Australia Japan Businesswomen’s Networking in NSW”

We are delighted to announce that we are going to connect and expand the Australia Japan Businesswomen’s Network to Australia-wide. We will be in charge of the Sydney chapter.

Natsuko Ogawa san in VIC and Ayumi have been discussing connecting existing Japanese women’s networks in major Australian cities so that members can support each other beyond the state borders. This initiative is supported by Australia Japan Business Council of Victoria and Australia Japan Business Corporation Committee.

Australia Japan Businesswomen’s Network (AJBWN) aims to empower businesswomen in the Australia-Japan business environment and create a nationwide network.

On 7th June 2023, the Sydney chapter of the AJBWN had a successful launch event at Ashurst Sydney office. The event was attended by women and men from various professional backgrounds, and everyone enjoyed networking with snacks from Japan. Positive energy filled the room!

We also welcomed new main members – Ms Azusa Weedon-Newstead and Emma Daly.

AJBWN is a great opportunity for professional and personal development!

Special thanks to the Australia Japan Business Co-operation Committee (AJBCC) for their support and Ashurst Sydney Office for providing the beautiful venue for this event.