Japanese migrants first arrived in Australia in the late 1800s. Many worked in industries such as diving and sugar cane farming, while others took on service roles. Some came through indentured labour schemes.

The White Australia Policy initially limited Japanese immigration. During World War II, Japanese nationals in Australia were interned, and most were deported after the war. Only 74 Japanese nationals and their children were allowed to remain after internment ended.

Since the policy’s end in 1973, the Japanese-born population in Australia has steadily increased. Between 2012 and 2016, nearly 25 per cent of the Japanese-born community arrived. Today, Japanese restaurants, supermarkets, societies and clubs help foster community life, and capital cities host festivals celebrating Japanese culture.

Japanese is the most widely studied foreign language in Australia. According to the Australian Embassy in Tokyo, more than 400,000 students study Japanese across all education levels. Japanese-language newspapers in Australia offer insights into the community and culture. The Japan Times Australian Edition, printed in English, is available online and can be translated into Japanese for readers who prefer that language.

• Japanese Perth Times
• Nichigo