Why Australia and Japan Need a Dedicated Sport & Health Innovation Platform
As Australia prepares for the 2032 Summer Olympics, a unique opportunity is emerging to strengthen long-term collaboration between Australia and Japan across sport, health innovation, advanced technologies, and major events.
Yet despite the strength of the Australia–Japan relationship, there is currently no dedicated bilateral platform designed specifically to connect both countries across sportstech, health innovation, startups, research, and emerging technologies in a coordinated and ongoing way.
That gap is exactly why JA Network launched the Japan Australia Sports & Health Innovation Exchange (JASHIE).
A Growing Opportunity for Australia and Japan
Both Australia and Japan are rapidly investing in sport, health, and innovation ecosystems.
Australia’s sportstech sector is now valued at more than AUD $5.6 billion annually, driven by growth in sports science, wearable technologies, AI, performance analytics, fan engagement technologies, and major events innovation.
At the same time, Japan is investing heavily in:
- robotics
- digital health
- preventative healthcare
- sports innovation
- AI and smart technologies
These sectors are increasingly recognised as national strategic priorities in both countries.
Japan’s expertise in advanced manufacturing, robotics, healthcare technologies, and innovation commercialisation strongly complements Australia’s strengths in sports science, medical research, startup innovation, and major event delivery.
However, there are still limited structured pathways connecting startups, universities, sporting organisations, corporates, investors, government stakeholders between both countries in these sectors.
The Launch of JASHIE
In March 2026, JA Network successfully delivered the inaugural JASHIE delegation to Queensland, bringing together leaders from Japan and Australia across government, business, universities, startups, health, sport, and innovation.
The delegation generated:
- 34 media placements across Australia and Japan
- new institutional partnerships
- commercial collaboration opportunities
- research engagement discussions
- strategic bilateral relationships
A major milestone was the signing of an MOU between JA Network, Mizuno Corporation, Nakanoshima Qross / Organization of Future Medicine, and the Queensland Government to strengthen long-term collaboration in sport and health innovation leading toward Brisbane 2032.
Announcing the JASHIE Japan Delegation 2026
JA Network is pleased to announce that the next JASHIE delegation to Japan will take place from Monday 9 to Friday 13 November 2026.
The delegation will focus on sport and health innovation, connecting our startup ecosystems, sports technology, AI and robotics, research collaboration, major events opportunities and the Tokyo 2020 and Brisbane 2032 legacy.
The delegation program will include:
- innovation showcases and pitch opportunities
- business matching sessions
- seminars
- site visits
- networking events
- university engagement activities
Building a Long-Term Bilateral Innovation Platform
JASHIE is designed not as a one-off trade mission, but as a long-term bilateral platform that creates sustainable relationships between Australia and Japan.
Over the next six years, JA Network aims to expand JASHIE nationally while continuing to strengthen partnerships between government, industry, academia, startups, and sporting organisations in both countries.
As Australia moves toward Brisbane 2032, we believe sport and health innovation can become a powerful new pillar of Australia–Japan cooperation.
We look forward to continuing this journey together with our partners and stakeholders across both countries.