Steven J Phipps

Australian craft brewers hop on 'clean and easy' Japanese lagers As record numbers of Australians continue to visit Japan, Japanese brewers have come to dominate our domestic beer market.

As record numbers of Australians travel to Japan, they are falling in love with the clean and crisp taste of Japanese beer.

Red Connect marks the beginning of a new chapter for Australian Red Cross in Tasmania, with future activities planned to bring people together and to build a stronger sense of community. A launch event will follow on Wednesday 18 March.

Australian Red Cross held the inaugural Red Connect Tasmania summit today, bringing members, volunteers and supporters together to explore how local action can strengthen communities. Highlights included a performance by the Choir of High Hopes and a talk by Mitch McPherson of SPEAK UP! Stay ChatTY.

In a world where there are more armed conflicts than at any time since the end of World War II, it is more important than ever to protect women from gender-based violence, to guarantee their human rights and to ensure that they have access to essential services such as education and healthcare.

Thank you to the Tasmania State Office of DFAT for the invitation to attend today’s celebration of International Women’s Day 2026. It was an inspirational event, with the highlight being a powerful speech by the Australian Ambassador for Gender Equality, the Hon Michelle O'Byrne.

Expat Brit solves pirate ship mystery | NHK WORLD-JAPAN News A British expat has solved the mystery of a pirate ship that appeared off the Tokushima coast in forbidden Edo-era Japan -- and reconnected the past to the present.

NHK recently reported on the story of the Cyprus Mutiny, including a visit to Tebajima by a descendant of one of the mutineers. This improbable historical encounter continues to bring people from Tasmania and Japan together, nearly two centuries later.

Good governance is essential for community groups to succeed in their missions. That's why I'm thrilled to see that The Governance Hub Inc. is working with Clubs Tasmania to run free, hands-on governance workshops around Tasmania during April.

Register here: events.humanitix.com/governance-w...

The Australia-Japan Society of Tasmania was delighted to join the 2026 Lunar New Year Festival at Parliament Lawns in Hobart. Thousands of people from all walks of life came together in a spirit of peace and harmony to celebrate the Year of the Horse and Tasmania’s cultural diversity.

World's oldest wombat in western Japan zoo turns 37 - The Mainichi OSAKA (Kyodo) -- The world's oldest wombat, living at a zoo in western Japan, turned 37 last month.

Happy Birthday to Wain, the world's oldest-known wombat, who recently turned 37.

Wain lives at Satsukiyama Zoo in Ikeda, Osaka Prefecture, and is a goodwill ambassador for Ikeda's sister city of Launceston, Tasmania. The special occasion was celebrated with a livestreamed birthday party.

Lunchtime Talks Series | Sue Pedley, 'Prevailing Gales' artist Join us for our February Lunchtime Talk as we welcome Sue Pedley to take us behind-the-scenes of the making of her exhibition

The exhibition is on display at the Maritime Museum of Tasmania until 24 May. There will also be a free lunchtime talk by the artist, Sue Pedley, on 14 April.

Prevailing Gales: www.maritimetas.org/whats/exhibi...

Lunchtime talk: www.eventbrite.com.au/e/lunchtime-...

On Friday evening, I was honoured to open the Prevailing Gales exhibition by Sue Pedley at the Maritime Museum of Tasmania.

Prevailing Gales is inspired by the voyage of the Cyprus from Tasmania to Japan and the remarkable encounter, in January 1830, between the mutineers and the local samurai.

Tasmanian buckwheat is now regarded as some of the finest in the world.

Ironically, while it’s possible to enjoy Tasmanian soba in Japan, Singapore, Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, there are no soba restaurants in Tasmania itself. We really need to do something about this!

While in Melbourne, I was sure to visit Shimbashi Soba for a taste of Tasmanian soba noodles.

One of the motivations for establishing a Tasmanian buckwheat industry in the 1980s was that the southern seasons mean that Japanese consumers can enjoy premium shinsoba (new season soba) twice a year.

I was delighted to attend a reception hosted by the Consul-General of Japan in Melbourne, Mr Tokuro Furuya, in honour of the 66th birthday of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan.

It was a wonderful opportunity to make new connections and to celebrate the relationship between our two countries.

On Sunday, I was delighted to attend the Japanese Arawa Festival in Latrobe. Held alongside the Mersey River on a perfect summer's day, the event brought the local community together to celebrate Japanese culture and the connections with Tasmania.

Japanese Economy, Critical Minerals and the Energy Transition
Tuesday 17 February, 2-4.30pm AEDT
In-person and online

This free seminar will examine Japan’s economic outlook and its strategic position in the global energy transition.

Further information: sydney.jpf.go.jp/events/econo...

Scientists no Longer Find Twitter Professionally Useful, and have Switched to Bluesky Synopsis. Social media has become widely used by the scientific community for a variety of professional uses, including networking and public outreach. For

Bluesky is the new science Twitter, new study by @whysharksmatter.bsky.social and Julia Wester concludes!

"Results show that for every reported professional benefit that scientists once gained from Twitter, scientists can now gain that benefit more effectively on Bluesky than on Twitter."

What do current geopolitical challenges mean for the Australia-US alliance? The Australian Institute of International Affairs Tasmania is hosting the @usstudiescentre.bsky.social for a moderated conversation. Please join us and share your thoughts.

Registrations: aiiatas.glueup.com/event/4-marc...

Red Connect Tasmania is a FREE community summit bringing together stories, music and practical ideas that show how small actions can make a big difference across Hobart and Tasmania.

Further information: events.humanitix.com/red-connect-...

The Japanese Arawa Festival is a free, community-based cultural festival. Activities include a yakisoba food stall, Japanese dance performances, an origami experience and a calligraphy booth. Everyone welcome!

Facebook event page: www.facebook.com/events/14352...

Lunchtime Talks Series | Sue Pedley, 'Prevailing Gales' artist Join us for our February Lunchtime Talk as we welcome Sue Pedley to take us behind-the-scenes of the making of her exhibition

At a free talk on 14 April, Sue will take us behind the scenes and discuss her creative process, from initial research and fieldwork through to material choices, experimentation and final presentation.

Exhibition: www.maritimetas.org/whats/exhibi...

Talk: www.eventbrite.com.au/e/lunchtime-...

From 20 February to 24 May 2026, the Maritime Museum Tasmania will present Prevailing Gales by Tasmanian-born artist Sue Pedley. This exhibition invites visitors into an atmospheric reimagining of the 1830 meeting between Tasmanian convicts aboard the brig Cyprus and samurai from Japan’s Awa Domain.

Please join the Australian Institute of International Affairs Tasmania for this event with Anna Hansen. In discussion with Jeffrey McGee, Anna will reflect on challenges for middle powers and developing nations in a "might is right" world.

Further information: aiiatas.glueup.com/event/17-feb...

Extreme Heat Awareness Day 2026: Australia needs a heatwave plan

Join this webinar at 2pm on Wednesday to hear from people delivering frontline support for communities and to be part of setting the agenda for a heat-safe Australia.

Register here: events.humanitix.com/extreme-heat...

Award-winning Japanese comedian Takashi Wakasugi will be performing in Hobart on 21 March as part of this year's Hobart Festival of Comedy.

The first show at 6pm is sold out, but tickets have now been released for a second show at 4pm.

Get tickets here: www.moshtix.com.au/v2/event/tak...

The Youth Advisory Committee at Australian Red Cross Tasmania is looking for passionate young people from across the state to help shape the future of youth action.

Apply now by following the link below or email tasvolunteer@redcross.org.au to find out more.

jobs.dayforcehcm.com/en-AU/ausred...

On 2 January, I had the privilege of attending the Imperial Palace in Tokyo for the traditional New Year’s greeting. His Majesty The Emperor expressed concerns for those who have experienced difficulties during the past year due to natural disasters. He also wished for a peaceful year ahead.

I welcomed the Year of the Horse at Zojoji Temple in Tokyo. Following the Buddhist tradition of joya no kane, the temple bell was rung 108 times at midnight to cleanse everyone of their worries and allow them to begin the new year afresh.

Wishing you all a happy and healthy year ahead.

I'm back in Japan for the next five weeks and enjoying the crisp, clear weather. At Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, the last lingering traces of the autumn colours look gorgeous in the winter sunshine. It's definitely one of my happy places in Tokyo.

Thank you, it was a very unexpected honour.