Gary Gray (Brand, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service and Integrity) Share this | Hansard source

I rise today to speak about Mr Tadashi Yamamoto, who, sadly, passed away on 15 April this year at the age of 76. Mr Yamamoto was born on 11 March 1936 in Tokyo. He initially studied at Rokko Senior High School before transferring to Komaba High School, from which he graduated in 1953. He attended Sophia University in Tokyo, where he studied philosophy, and then continued his undergraduate education at St Norbert College in Wisconsin and received a Master of Business Administration from Marquette University, Wisconsin, in 1962. In 1966, he married Chiyoko Aikawa, and in the following years they had four sons and later eight grandchildren.

Mr Yamamoto was the founder and President of the Japan Centre for International Exchange, JCIE, a non-government, not-for-profit organisation founded to develop and encourage Japan's contribution to the international community and communication between non-government leaders in different countries. The founding of this organisation was considered a revolutionary concept in Japan at the time. Described as a catalyst for and a facilitator of exchange for a better society and world through communication, cooperation and friendship, Mr Yamamoto dedicated his life to strengthening Japan's international relations and addressing global challenges using non-governmental foreign exchange programs.

Mr Yamamoto achieved a great deal during his 40 years as president of JCIE. I would particularly like to note his many initiatives to promote and support exchange programs for young political leaders. His philanthropy in this area had a direct influence in Australia. In 1992, JCIE entered into an exchange partnership with the Australian Political Exchange Council to provide learning experiences and developmental opportunities through regular exchanges. It is for Japanese and Australian young political leaders. From the outset, the exchanges were viewed by participants as highly valued opportunities to gain an in-depth understanding of the host country and particularly its political system. This program has also made possible and fostered communication, understanding and friendship between young leaders of Australia and Japan.

Mr Yamamoto and his staff at JCIE have sponsored 11 delegations of Japanese young political leaders to Australia since 1992 and have hosted 19 delegations for Japan. JCIE has also conducted a young political leaders exchange program with the USA. This year saw the 24th visit from Japan to the US and the 28th visit of the US delegation to Japan. Mr Yamamoto saw the establishment of the Trilateral Commission in 1973, an annual non-governmental forum of 350 leaders from Europe, North America and Japan which aims to promote mutual understanding and closer cooperation between nations. In 2000, the commission expanded its membership beyond Japan to other Asian countries, among them a number of ASEAN countries including Australia, New Zealand and South Korea. Mr Yamamoto made an enormous contribution to international relations in Japan. He facilitated an increased understanding and trust between nations with his strong belief in common humanity. He was a world ambassador and was regarded by many to be a true internationalist.

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