JASHIE 2026: Strengthening Australia–Japan Collaboration in Sport and Health Innovation

In March 2026, the Japan–Australia Sports & Health Innovation Exchange (JASHIE) program brought together leaders from Japan and Australia for its inaugural business delegation to Brisbane and the Gold Coast.

Held from 16–20 March, the delegation marked a significant step forward in strengthening bilateral collaboration in sport and health innovation - sectors expected to play a central role in the lead-up to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

A Platform for the Future of Collaboration

Australia is entering a decade of global engagement, with Brisbane 2032 acting as a catalyst for innovation and international partnerships. JASHIE was established to bridge a long-standing gap in the market by creating a structured and long-term platform for collaboration between Japan and Australia across:

• Health and active lifestyle
• Elite performance and training
• The business of sport and major events

JASHIE focuses on long-term, outcomes-driven partnerships, connecting startups, corporates, government agencies, sporting bodies, and research institutions.

Inside the 2026 Queensland Delegation

The 2026 program delivered a highly interactive experience, featuring:

• 18 Japanese delegates representing 15 organisations
• 40+ Queensland organisations engaged
• 70+ total participants across sessions

Participants took part in:

• Government briefings led by Trade and Investment Queensland and Invest Gold Coast
• Site visits to leading innovation and sports facilities
• Technology showcases and startup pitch sessions
• Networking events

A total of 16 sessions were delivered, alongside curated stakeholder engagements and a high level industry roundtable.

Key Outcomes and Impact

The JASHIE 2026 Queensland Delegation delivered meaningful, relationship-driven outcomes that extend well beyond the duration of the program. At its core, the initiative successfully created a trusted environment where senior leaders, innovators, and decision-makers from Japan and Australia could engage in open dialogue.

Through a carefully curated mix of briefings, site visits, and facilitated interactions, participants developed a deeper understanding of each market’s capabilities, priorities, and pathways for collaboration. This enabled more informed and strategic conversations, moving beyond initial introductions toward tangible areas for partnership and collaboration.

Importantly, the delegation strengthened connections across government, industry, sporting bodies and academia, reinforcing Australia’s position as a credible and attractive partner for Japanese organisations seeking international expansion and collaboration. The program also enhanced visibility of Queensland’s innovation ecosystem, particularly in the context of Brisbane 2032, positioning it as a global hub for sport, health, and major event-related innovation.

Overall, JASHIE became a platform not only for knowledge exchange, but for building long-term, trust-based partnerships that underpin future trade, investment, and innovation outcomes.

International Reach Through Media

The strong international visibility achieved through JASHIE 2026 was the result of a deliberate and coordinated media and communications strategy designed to amplify the program’s impact beyond the delegation itself.

Working closely with program partners, stakeholders, and participating organisations, JASHIE aligned announcements, partnership milestones, and key messaging across both Japanese and Australian markets. This included coordinated media releases, stakeholder-led communications, and the strategic use of existing corporate and government communication channels.

Particular emphasis was placed on engaging Japanese-language media to directly reach priority audiences, including corporate decision-makers, investors, and innovation stakeholders. At the same time, English-language coverage reinforced Queensland’s positioning on a global stage, highlighting its capabilities in sport, health, and innovation.

In addition to traditional media, JASHIE leveraged digital platforms and social media to extend engagement, share real-time updates from the delegation, and build ongoing awareness of the initiative. This multi-channel approach ensured consistent visibility, strengthened credibility, and created momentum for future programs.

As a result, JASHIE has established a strong foundation as a recognised platform for Australia–Japan collaboration in the sports and health innovation sector.

What Participants Valued Most

Meaningful Networking

Participants consistently identified networking as the most valuable element as the means to achieve direct connections across both countries.

Exposure to Queensland’s Ecosystem

Delegates gained insights into government initiatives, innovation infrastructure, and research and commercial opportunities linked to Brisbane 2032.

Practical Learning Through Pitching

Startup pitch sessions provided real-world experience in communicating with international audiences and understanding cross-market expectations.

Looking Ahead: Enhancing Future JASHIE Delegations

Building on the strong foundation established through the Queensland delegation, JASHIE is now focused on further elevating the impact and outcomes of future programs, beginning with the upcoming Tokyo and Kansai delegation in November 2026.

Future delegations will place an increased emphasis on structured, outcome-driven engagement, ensuring that participants are supported not only in making connections, but in progressing those connections toward tangible collaboration.

Key enhancements will include:

Deepening Commercial Outcomes

JASHIE will introduce more targeted business matching, investor and corporate engagement formats, and structured pitch opportunities designed to accelerate commercial discussions and partnership development.

Expanding Facilitated Networking

Building on the strong networking foundation, future programs will incorporate more curated and facilitated interactions, including guided introductions, and informal engagement opportunities to maximise the quality and depth of connections.

Increasing Industry-Led Content

There will be a greater focus on real-world applications, with leading organisations sharing practical case studies, operational insights, and challenges linked to major events, high-performance sport, and health innovation.

Through these enhancements, JASHIE will continue to strengthen its role as a high-impact platform for Australia–Japan collaboration, delivering increasing value to participants and stakeholders with each program.

Building Momentum: What’s Next

The success of the inaugural delegation confirms JASHIE’s role as a trusted platform for Australia–Japan collaboration.

Looking ahead, JASHIE will continue to expand its impact, with the next delegation planned for Japan (Tokyo and Kansai) in November 2026.

Conclusion

The JASHIE 2026 Queensland Delegation demonstrated what is possible when two innovation-driven nations come together with a shared vision.

By connecting people, ideas, and opportunities, JASHIE is helping to shape the future of sport, health, and innovation, creating lasting partnerships that will extend well beyond Brisbane 2032.