March 30, 2026
The Group of Eight will convene a high-level Australia-Japan research dialogue this week, bringing together senior leaders form the two countries' leading research-intensive universities to deepen cooperation on research, economic and cyber security in an increasingly contested global environment.
The Go8-Japan Roundtable "Deepening Engagement on Economic, Research and Cyber Security" will be held on 31 March at Keio University in Tokyo, reflecting the growing strategic importance of trusted research partnerships in supporting economic resilience, technological capability and regional stability.
This is the third Go8-Japan research dialogue in two years, demonstrating the strong and sustained commitment from Australia's and Japan's leading research-intensive universities to expand research collaboration in critical areas.
Japan's participation in Horizon Europe, alongside Australia's move to join the program, also creates new opportunities to deepen collaboration between two major research nations in the Indo‑Pacific, connecting trusted bilateral partnerships with one of the world's largest multilateral research frameworks.
The roundtable will bring together senior representatives from Government, industry and university partners to examine how Australia and Japan can scale and diversify bilateral research collaboration, with a particular focus on secure research practices, dual-use and emerging technologies, and strengthening innovation ecosystems.
The Go8 delegation is being led by Professor Deborah Terry AC, Go8 Chair and Vice Chancellor of the University of Queensland. Senior delegates include Professor Sharon Pickering, Go8 Deputy Chair and Vice Chancellor of Monash University; Major General (Ret'd) Paul Symon AO, Co-Chair of the Go8 Defence and Security Committee; Deputy Vice Chancellors from Go8 universities; and Go8 Chief Executive Vicki Thomson.
Professor Deborah Terry AC, Chair of the Group of Eight said:
"Japan is one of Australia's most trusted and long-standing research partners, central to our capacity to undertake critical research in areas of national priority, and to support regional security and stability in an increasingly uncertain global environment."
"Both countries recognise the pressing need to elevate our collaboration and collective capability in critical and emerging technologies, economic security, cybersecurity and information security, including countering foreign interference. Australia and Japan are natural research partners, with world-class research systems, deep pools of talent and a strong alignment of interests. "
Professor Kohei Itoh, President, Keio University said:
"Against the backdrop of the turbulent world seen in recent years, the partnership between Australia and Japan – spanning government and academia – is gaining increased significance. We perceive that particular opportunities for collaboration lie in economic and research security. As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of friendship and cooperation this year, Australia and Japan will move forward to further strengthen their strategic partnership for the next 50 years."
Australian universities have been actively strengthening approaches to research security, with a strong focus on protecting research integrity and managing foreign interference risks while sustaining open and trusted international collaboration.
In her capacity as Deputy Chair of the University Foreign Interference Taskforce, Professor Deborah Terry AC will share practical experience from across the sector, highlighting approaches that support secure and resilient research partnerships.
The roundtable reflects a shared recognition that research security is now fundamental to national capability – ensuring trusted partnerships safeguard research integrity, manage risk in emerging technologies and support long‑term economic resilience and regional stability.
