Queensland and Japan Announce JASHIE Partnership

The Queensland Government has entered an international partnership with Japan to launch the Japan-Australia Sports & Health Innovation Exchange (JASHIE), aimed at accelerating the state’s sports technology sector.

Formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed in Brisbane today, the two-year agreement connects Queensland’s burgeoning sports ecosystem with Japanese industry giants including Mizuno Corporation and the Nakanoshima Qross future medical hub.

Executive leaders from both nations lauded the strategic alignment as a vital bridge for commercial and research exchange.

Echoing his sentiments, Minister for Science and Innovation, Andrew Powell, said: “Through JASHIE, we are connecting our innovators with Japanese partners to accelerate collaboration, commercialisation, and long-term growth.” 

JA Network Founder and CEO, Cristina Merino Ishizuka added: “By combining Queensland’s thriving innovation ecosystem with Japan’s deep technological expertise, we are creating new pathways for startups, researchers and corporates to scale internationally.”

The JASHIE framework focuses on high-performance sport, sleep science, and stadium technologies to enhance fan engagement and athlete wellbeing. This bilateral cooperation is designed to provide Queensland startups with direct access to Japanese investors and international research networks, significantly boosting the state’s global standing in the “business of sport.”

This partnership serves as a key pillar in the long-term legacy planning for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. By integrating Mizuno’s people-centred R&D with Queensland’s world-class research institutions, the initiative aims to deliver cutting-edge health solutions that extend from elite athletes to grassroots participation.

The MOU signing followed a week-long business delegation across Brisbane and the Gold Coast involving innovators and researchers from both countries.

Further joint activations and pilot programs under the JASHIE banner are expected to be announced as the partnership progresses through its initial two-year term.

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