Rio Tinto has announced an additional A$1.7 million commitment to the Australia-Japan Innovation Fund (AJIF) to boost research and academic projects between Australia and Japan, as well as strengthen collaboration between industry, educational institutions, and governments in both countries.
The commitment was made at the 60th Australia-Japan Annual Joint Business Conference, which is now taking place in Melbourne, bringing together business leaders from both countries.
AJIF, previously known as the Foundation for Australia-Japan Studies (FAJS), was established in 2015 to promote collaboration between Australia and Japan in science, technology, and innovation, aiming to enhance bilateral relationships through these partnerships.
Rio Tinto has been the initiative’s sole funder since its inception, and this latest commitment brings its total pledges since its inception in 2018 to around A$5 million in operating expenditures and research funding.
The AJIF will use this new funding to support research in sectors with strong linkages to business between Australia and Japan, such as green steel, renewable energy systems, and automated infrastructure. The grants will also play an important role in promoting research between the two countries in science and technology areas essential to the resources industry, assisting in generating the breakthroughs required to decarbonise the world.
“Science and technology are paramount in tackling today’s global challenges. We are pleased to make a second commitment to the AJIF to support research projects that can help tackle these challenges and build relationships between Australia and Japan,” Rio Tinto Chief Executive Australia Kellie Parker said.
AJIF Chair Murray McClean commented, “We welcome Rio Tinto’s sustained commitment to supporting collaborative cutting-edge research projects involving Australian and Japanese partners, thereby realising some of the vast potential for such research between the two countries.”
