Western Australia’s all-encompassing hub for Japanese language, education and culture is entering its next period of growth following the signing of a funding agreement to support the Japan Education and Cultural Centre of Western Australia (JECCWA) with Woodside Energy (‘Woodside’).
The Australia Japan Society of Western Australia (AJSWA) and Woodside announced the agreement at AJSWA’s recent inaugural Open Day at JECCWA.
AJSWA President Ben Wholagan said the Woodside funding will be invaluable to support the ongoing operations of JECCWA, located in Tuart Hill, which the society opened in February 2024.
“We are absolutely delighted to welcome Woodside as our latest funding partner,” he said.
“After recently marking a year since the signing of our agreement with our foundation supporter, INPEX, AJSWA is incredibly proud to have secured this latest agreement with Woodside Energy, which will support the ongoing operations of JECCWA and the services and programmes AJSWA offers at the facility for the people of Perth and Western Australia.
“Funding for JECCWA by both a Japanese and an Australian company powerfully demonstrates the importance of the bilateral relationship between WA and Japan. It shows that the relationship is not just economic or strategic – it is deeply cultural and recognises the importance of strengthening ties through people to people exchange at the grass roots-community level.
“It was especially pleasing to be able to have made this announcement at our inaugural Open Day alongside representatives from Woodside, representatives from Federal, State and Local Government, our members and our community who will continue to benefit from the amazing facilities at JECCWA into the future as a result of this agreement.”
“The strong community support for the programmes and classes held since the centre opened and positive feedback we continue to receive demonstrates how much the centre is valued as a hub for the many WA-Japan community organisations to connect and share culture and language. Our membership has continued to grow and we are proud to have seen more than 2,000 people come through our doors, including, for example, school groups from both WA and Japan, visiting delegations from Japan, as well as people borrowing our books and attending Japanese language classes,” Mr Wholagan said.
“AJSWA deeply appreciates Woodside’s dedicated support in advancing programs that reflect our shared commitment to meaningful community impact and looks forward to a long and fruitful collaboration as JECCWA grows and provides opportunities for extension and support of cultural exchange, education and for WA educators in Japanese language.”
One of only two similar Japanese cultural centres nationally, JECCWA has the largest collection of Japan-related language and cultural materials in Western Australia.
The custom-designed facility, developed in 2020, incorporates a Japanese garden and tatami tearoom, as well as a library, kitchen facilities, classroom and lecture theatre.
Tony Cudmore, Woodside Executive Vice President Sustainability, Policy and External Affairs, said:
“Woodside has a proud and enduring history of collaboration with Japan. It is built on a firm foundation of mutual respect and a shared recognition of the importance of energy security to our region. We are pleased to announce this funding agreement with the AJSWA, as this collaboration will help sustain and expand the Cultural Centre’s vital services, ensuring Japan’s rich cultural heritage continues to thrive in Western Australia.”