Maddy, a MEXT scholarship recipient, moved to Tokyo in 2022 to pursue a Master’s degree in the Information, Technology, and Society in Asia (ITASIA) Program at the University of Tokyo. With an ethnic and cultural background spanning New Zealand, Japan, and Australia, Maddy is eager to gain insights into regional trade through an internship with ANZCCJ. Beyond her academic and professional endeavors, Maddy leads an active lifestyle, enjoying running, dancing, and hiking, and dedicates time to volunteering for social and environmental causes.

Jazlyn, raised in Perth, Western Australia, studied Mechanical Engineering and Economics at Curtin University. Her diverse work experience spans sustainable cooling systems, major road infrastructure project development in Victoria, mechanical engineering consultancy, and humanitarian engineering in rural Argentina. She is passionate about leveraging her career to bridge fields and cultures for regional advancement, with a keen interest in the intersection of engineering and economics. As a New Colombo Plan Scholar, she moved to Japan in February 2024, joining the chamber a few months later in April. She was attracted by the innovative and complementary nature of Australia, Japan, and New Zealand relations. At the ANZCCJ, Jazlyn aims to gain a deeper understanding of these relations and the tech, innovation, and sustainability markets across North East Asia. In her personal life, Jazlyn enjoys exploring her curiosity, such as learning about Japanese design and innovation (initially inspired by origami engineering), hiking, and meeting interesting individuals.

A student from Curtin University in Perth, Western Australia, Fraser moved to Japan as a DFAT New Colombo Plan (NCP) Scholar in October 2022 to broaden his understanding of Japanese culture, hone his Japanese language skills, and experience firsthand Japan's unique approach to engineering, innovation and business. In his role as an ANZCCJ Intern, Fraser contributed to the operations team, with involvement in developing the chamber's strategy and business relations. As an electrical engineering and computer science student passionate about technology and highly interested in international business, Fraser utilised the commercial experience and valuable connections gained through his internship at ANZCCJ to strengthen the Australia-Japan relationship through future collaboration in engineering and industry. In his spare time, Fraser enjoys solo travelling, interacting with locals in Japanese, and “hitting the slopes” during Japan's winter season.

Born in Taipei, Taiwan, Sally holds strong enthusiasm towards overseas learning experiences, completing a Bachelor of Commerce in International Business and Tourism Management in New Zealand, before moving to Melbourne, Australia to pursue a Master’s in International Business. Highly skilled in graphic design and videography, Sally generated captivating marketing content throughout her employment at the Chamber. With a long-term career focus on global cooperation to achieve sustainable development practices, Sally was drawn to the internship program to better understand Japan’s cultural affinity and reverence for nature in business relations, embodied by the philosophical concept of “mottainai”, or respect for the earth’s resources. Outside her studies and internship commitments, Sally actively participates in ocean conservation pursuits. As a licensed diver and enthusiastic explorer of marine life, her favourite ocean adventures include a scuba dive in the Okinawan crystal clear waters, in addition to a free dive alongside the Humpback whales of the Tongan seas. Since completing her internship, Sally now works as a Future Student Postgraduate Coordinator at the Australian National University.

Born in Perth and raised in Melbourne, Australia, Louisa moved to Japan in September 2022 as a New Colombo Plan Scholar, awarded by the Australian Government, to deepen her understanding of the cultural influences that shape Japanese business relations. With the aim to facilitate cross-cultural connections in marketing, communications and media, Louisa completed her Bachelor’s degree at Waseda University Tokyo, pursued language studies in Hokkaido, Okinawa and Kyoto, whilst simultaneously interning with ANZCCJ. Specializing in social media strategy, Louisa fine tuned the chamber’s presence online, inspiring career pursuits in PR, consulting and event management. As an avid traveler, whilst in Japan, Louisa also took great delight in exploring the diverse food, local festivals and regional identities of Japan’s multiple prefectures, visiting 35 of the 47 in just over a year! Since completing her internship with the Chamber, Louisa has continued to travel the world, now working on multinational projects as an experience specialist with Motion for Impact in Singapore.

Born in Sydney, Australia, and now studying International Relations and Political Science at The Australian National University in Canberra, Iris is passionate about diplomacy and international cooperation. She joined the ANZCCJ this month as a marketing intern, and hopes to enhance her understanding of different cultures and gain valuable marketing skills and connections. With a long-term goal of studying and working overseas, Iris is interested in how countries facilitate trade and cooperation in a modern, globalised world. Through the ANZCCJ internship program, she aims to better understand Japan’s culture and attitude towards business and international trade across private and governmental sectors. In her personal life, Iris enjoys playing table tennis (badly), attempting to converse with native speakers of Italian and French, and swimming.

Raised in Ulladulla on the South Coast of NSW, Darcy studied at the University of Wollongong. He moved to Japan as an exchange student under the NCP mobility program in September 2022 to March 2023. Darcy completed his studies in Law and Mathematics before returning to Japan in 2024 to enhance his understanding of the Australia-Japan business relationship and further develop his Japanese abilities. With a long-term focus on working between Japan and Australia as a transactional lawyer, Darcy values the fantastic network that the ANZCCJ provides. Through the ANZCCJ internship program he aims to better understand the Japanese approach to business and is excited to connect with the diverse range of international, and Australian, law firms in Tokyo. Darcy is interested in how governments facilitate trade across public and private sectors, and enjoys the cooperative relationship the ANZCCJ shares with Austrade. At the ANZCCJ he hopes to apply his relevant legal and data science experience to assist the chamber in further facilitating stronger business relationships between Australia and Japan. While in Japan, Darcy is heavily engaged with the Tokyo Goannas Australian football club and hiking through the Japanese alps.

Nicholas is an exchange student from the University of Western Australia studying at Sophia University. Coming from a state built on the success of the resources sector, he came to Japan to understand how WA, and Australia, can prepare for a greener future by facilitating innovative international start-up ecosystems. Drawing on his past experience running his own start-up and leading community projects in the sector, he is excited to connect with the diverse range of SMEs in Tokyo. At the ANZCCJ, he hopes to apply his past experiences in economic policy and consulting to optimise and overhaul their outreach strategy to build stronger business relationships between the three nations. As a professional, Nicholas plans to pursue a Juris Doctor (JD) for his post-graduate course, and aspires to have a career where he can continue to work within industry-leading, globally-connected teams. In his time in Japan, Nicholas hopes to continue his passion of trying the most unusual foods of the world like mopane worms in South Africa, emu in Karinjini National Park and balut in Vietnam.

Originally from Perth, Australia, Ryan was awarded the New Colombo Plan Scholar, by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade enabling a shift to Japan to study high-quality engineering. With a background in Mechatronics Engineering, Ryan interned at both the ANZCCJ and Austrade, aligning his interests in connecting Australia with the Indo-Pacific region through enterprise whilst gaining valuable experience in market research and business development management. With a proactive approach to learning and creative problem-solving skills, future aspirations include the management of significant multi-lateral engineering projects. In his leisure time, Ryan enjoys playing the piano and riding motorcycles, although not simultaneously. Since completing the internship program, Ryan is now working as a SKAO Project Engineer, building the Earth’s most power radio telescope in remote Australia.

Linda, originally from Taoyuan City, Taiwan, graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Economics (International Economics and Business) from Xiamen University in Xiamen, Fujian Province, China. With a long-term goal to work in the consulting and management sphere, she additionally pursued a Master's Degree in Management (Accounting) at The University of Melbourne. During a Global Business Practicum unit, Linda attended an ANZCCJ networking event, which inspired her to undertake further studies to deepen her insights into the dynamics of international trade between Australia, New Zealand, and Japan. Whilst interning at the Chamber, Linda oversaw marketing and social media, including the provision of the weekly newsletter, ensuring members remain cognisant of developing relations between nations. In addition to her academic and professional interests, Linda is passionate about Japanese anime, particularly the advancement of technology and the creativity of authors.

Howard's passion for Japanese language and culture commenced after his first visit to Japan in 2018, inspiring him to undertake a concurrent diploma in Japanese language along with a Bachelor of Laws/Commerce at the University of Queensland. As a New Colombo Plan Scholar, awarded by the Australian Government, Howard undertook work experience in Singapore within corporate law, followed by a 2-month term with the ANZCCJ. With Australia and Japan sharing a long-term, highly complementary and mutually beneficial relationship in the energy and resources sector, Howard was particularly interested in foreign investments concerning renewables and the global, clean energy transition. With future career aspirations within the Mergers and Acquisitions and Investment Funds sphere, Howard's overarching goal was to broaden knowledge of the commercial ties between Australia and Japan, alongside the cultural influences that shape business relations. In his downtime, Howard thoroughly enjoys engaging in sporting activities, particularly tennis, as an active player and great admirer of Kei Nishikori. Since completing the internship program, Howard is now pursuing the DLA Piper Graduate Program in Brisbane, Australia.

Yuma was born in the Kanagawa prefecture, known for its infamous coastline, mountainous ranges and hot springs. With a passion for cultural preservation, Yuma is presently undertaking Japanese Studies at Tokyo University of Foreign Studies, with her connection to Australia motivated by a student exchange program at Bond University on the Gold Coast, focusing on the cultural and environmental management of sustainable tourism. Highlights throughout her time in Queensland include explorations of the vibrant and diverse coral reefs surrounding Cairns, along with field trips to sites of aboriginal historical significance, committed to conserving natural environments. Such experiences have inspired a future career path that deepens Australia and Japan people-to-people connections, with more than 100 sister city and state-prefecture relationships presently paving the way for educational, sporting, cultural and economic exchanges. With Japan Australia’s second-largest trading partner and export market, Yuma’s ANZCCJ internship objectives were to gain further exposure to the inner workings of international trade and logistical agreements between nations across private and governmental sectors. With active involvement in sports, and a deep connection to nature, in her spare time, Yuma thoroughly enjoys playing lacrosse, and caring for her cat, Cookie.