An Opportunity for healing for descendants of prisoners of war.
Apply to participate in the Japan-Australia Grassroots Exchange Program by 17 September 2024
Commencing in 1994 as the Hand of Friendship project, the Japan-Australia Grassroots Exchange Program aims to deepen the mutual understanding of the peoples of Japan and Australia by inviting descendants of former Australian POWs to Japan through the RSL network. By participating in this exchange, representatives of the RSL and descendants of POWs have an opportunity to promote post war reconciliation, understanding and goodwill between both countries.
In 2024, RSL Australia National Deputy President Duncan Anderson was invited to visit Japan as part of the Grassroots Exchange Program along with two descendants of former POWs, Ms. Joy Derham from RSL Victoria, the daughter of Lance Corporal John ‘Jack’ Lonsdale, who was a Prisoner of War (POW) from 1942 – 1945, and Mr. Trent Beilken from RSL Queensland, whose grandfather, Private Robert Rolls, became a POW six weeks shy of his 16th birthday in 1942.
The group spent eight days touring Japan, visiting sites including the Hodogaya (Yokohama) Commonwealth War Cemetery, the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, the Museum and Genbaku Dome – the epicentre of the atomic bombing. They attended an event at the POW Research Centre and had opportunities to meet with the Japanese people, experience the culture and strengthen the bonds that have now developed between Australia and Japan.
The next tour of the Grassroots Program is tentatively scheduled for February/March 2025. The Japanese Government have generously offered two places to descendants of POWs.
The tour includes 7 nights/8 days in Japan, with flights, shared accommodation, domestic travel within Japan, a meal allowance and travel insurance covered by the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Participants will need to bear their own travel costs to the nearest airport to their residence, passport costs, expenses incurred above room charges and meal expenses outside of the allowance, souvenirs, and incidentals.
An interpreter and tour guide accompany the participants. Activities will include meeting with various Government representatives and students, a dinner hosted by the Foreign Ministry, a visit to the Commonwealth War Cemetery and general sightseeing.
Nominations are now open to take part.
If you are a:
POW/Spouse
Son or Daughter of a POW
Grandchild of a POW
and would like to be considered for this tour, please apply via your local sub-branch by Tuesday, 17 September 2024 or email enquiries@rsl.org.au for more information.
Sub-Branches will submit nominations to State Branches, which will submit all nominations to RSL Australia no later than COB Friday, 20 September 2024.
