JPF Sydney > About Us > Frequently Asked Questions
 
What does the Japan Foundation do and what do we offer?
The Japan Foundation is dedicated to promoting cultural and intellectual exchange between Japan and other nations through the implementation of comprehensive international cultural exchange projects. In Australia, we organise events and exhibitions introducing Japanese art, culture and society, and offer programs supporting Japanese language education in schools and Japanese Studies at universities.

Some services and programs we offer:

Japanese Language Courses Library
Art Exhibitions in our gallery Membership and Volunteer opportunities
Free Cinema screenings Professional Development for Teachers of Japanese
Cultural Goods for Loan Grants Programs
Lectures Workships
 
Tokyo Head Office
Japan Foundation Worldwide
 
What are the Japan Foundation’s opening hours?
The office is open Mon-Fri from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm. We are closed between 12.30 pm and 1.30 pm.

The Library’s opening hours are as follows:
 
Mon 11.00 am - 5.30 pm *
Tue 11.00 am - 5.30 pm
Wed 11.00 am - 6.00 pm
Thu 11.00 am - 5.30 pm
Fri 11.00 am - 5.30 pm
Sat 11.00 am - 4.00 pm **
Sun Closed
* Closed every third Monday, following open Saturdays.
** Open every third Saturday. Subject to change.
A calendar of opening Saturdays and closed Mondays can be found on the Library page of this website.
 
How can I get to the Japan Foundation, Sydney office and library?
Sign up to our free e-newsletter, Omusubi to get monthly Japan related event and language information.The Japan Foundation is located on Level 1 of the Chifley Plaza building, located at 2 Chifley Square in the Sydney CBD. Chifley Square is close to Elizabeth, Hunter, Bent and Macquarie Streets.

We are a five-minute walk from Martin Place railway station, or a ten-minute walk from Wynyard, Circular Quay and St James stations.

The office and library are located on the same floor but in different locations. For the library and gallery, head to your left at the top of the escalators and for the office go straight ahead past Entice café.
 
How can I get involved at the Japan Foundation, Sydney?
You can become a member of the Japan Foundation, Sydney for an annual fee of $25. This entitles you to receive invitations and discounts on Japan Foundation events as well as extended library loan privileges.

For more information, or to apply, please see the Membership page of this website.

You can also become a volunteer. To become a volunteer, you must be over 18.
For more information, please see our volunteer page.
 
How can I apply for a borrower card of the Library?
A free library card is available for those who wish to use the basic library loan service.
For information about Library services, please see the Library page of this website.
 
Where can I find out about learning Japanese?
The Japan Foundation, Sydney runs Japanese language courses for the general public.

For Beginners Introductory Japanese Course & Beginners’ I Japanese Course
For Intermediate learners Intermediate I Japanese Course
For Advanced learners Advanced Japanese Course
 
Please click here [http://www.jpf.org.au/03_language/g_jldg.htm] for course details.
Our Library carries a great range of textbooks and audio-visual materials for learning Japanese.
If you have further queries, please contact on (02) 8239 0077 or email jcourse@jpf.org.au.
 
How can I measure my Japanese language proficiency?
The Japanese Language Proficiency Test is conducted worldwide in December each year, by the Japan Foundation and the Association of International Education Japan. The Japan Foundation, Sydney administers the test in Australia. For further information, please see the Japanese Language Proficienct Test page of this website.
 
 
What sort of grant programs does the Japan Foundation offer?
The Japan Foundation offers a variety of grant programs in three fields:

I. Arts and Cultural Exchange
II. Japanese Language Education
III. Japanese Studies and Intellectual Exchange

Applications for our annual grant programs are accepted between September and December.
For further information, please see the Grants page of this website.
 
What services do you offer to teachers of Japanese?
The Japan Foundation, Sydney offers a number of services to teachers of Japanese in schools around Australia. These include teacher training opportunities and development and donation of teaching resources.

For further information about our services for teachers and schools, please see the Language page of this website.
 
Where can I find information about travelling to Japan?
The Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) can provide detailed information to people travelling to Japan.
 
Japan National Tourism Organization
 
Where can I find information about doing business in Japan?
The Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) can assist people or organisations wishing to conduct business in Japan.
JETRO
 

Question not answered?
For all other enquiries, please telephone our office on (02) 8239 0055