JAPAN-AUSTRALIA GRASSROOTS EXCHANGE PROGRAM
Promoting post war reconciliation, understanding and goodwill between Japan and Australia
About the Program
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. It offers an opportunity for healing for descendants of Prisoners of War.
Each year, the Japanese Embassy in Australia works with RSL Australia to find suitable participants for the program. More than 120 POWs and POW descendants have taken part in the program since it began.
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.
The tour involves 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. Participants also visit the POW Research Centre and have the opportunity to meet with the Japanese people, experience the culture and strengthen the bonds that have now developed between Australia and Japan.
Photo: 2023 Grassroots participants visit the atomic bomb site in Hiroshima.
Applying for the Grassroots Program
The Japan-Australia Grassroots Exchange Program is open to Prisoners of War, spouses of POWs, children and grandchildren of POWs. This program is offered to RSL Australia through a partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Japan). It aims to deepen the mutual understanding between the Japanese and Australian people by inviting descendants of former POWs to tour Japan in the spirit of post-war reconciliation.
Each year, the Japanese Government assesses whether to continue the Grassroots Exchange program.
If it is confirmed that it will run again in 2027, we will advertise for nominations through our social media pages, through the President's Newsletter (click here to subscribe), and through RSL State and Sub-branches.
Once nominations are open, you will be able to apply through your RSL Sub-Branch. The Sub-Branches will process the nomination and forward it to their respective State Branch by the closing date advised by their State Branch.
State Branches will assess all applications received and then forward their top two nominations to RSL Australia for consideration. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Japan) will make the final decision on the two successful participants. The successful participants will be announced on the RSL Australia social media channels.
previous tours
2026
The Japan-Australia Grassroots Exchange took place from 1-7 March 2026. Mike Gallagher, RSL Tasmania State President, represented RSL Australia. Accompanying him were Barry Dwyer (RSL NSW) and Colin Montefiore (RSL WA).
Barry Dwyer is the son of POW Francis Joseph Dwyer. Francis, known as Frank, went to fight in the war, leaving behind his wife, Imeda and two young children. He was captured and became a POW in Changi and was then transferred to Camp 4 in Thailand. He was later moved to the Ohama POW Camp on Ikashima Island, Japan, to work in the Ohama coal mine.
Colin Montefiore is the son of POW Arthur Eric Montefiore. Arthur was part of the 2nd Australian Imperial Force. He was captured in Java soon after arriving and became a Prisoner of War. In June 1944, he was sent to Japan on the Tamahoko Maru, which was torpedoed by the American submarine USS Tang (ss-306). He was one of the few who survived. He was rescued by a Japanese whaling ship and transferred to Nagasaki. He was sent to Fukuoka 14 Camp to work in the Mitsubishi Steel Foundry.
Both Frank and Arthur experienced and survived the dropping of the atomic bomb on Nagasaki. After the war ended, they were returned to Australia.
The 2026 Grassroots Program was specially tailored to offer Barry and Colin the opportunity to learn more about what their fathers had been through. In addition to the regular program, they also toured the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum and attended a lecture by an atomic bomb victim. They visited the Nagasaki National Peace Memorial Hall. They visited the Ohama POW Camp site and the entrance to the Honzan Coal Mine.
Mike, Barry and Colin have expressed their immense gratitude to the Japanese Government and all involved in their tour for the opportunity. Acknowledging and learning about the past has been invaluable in helping them move forward.
Read more:
There were no winners or losers, just the damaged - by Colin Montefiore
2025
The Japan-Australia Grassroots Exchange took place from 2-8 March 2025. Dr Robert Webster, RSL Victoria State President, represented RSL Australia. Accompanying him were Mr Arthur Pegg from RSL Tasmania, and Harry Maxwell Tysoe from RSL WA. Arthur Pegg is the son of Private Frederick Pegg, 2/40 Battalion. Private Fred Pegg fought during World War II in Java and Timor. In February 1942, he was declared missing and was later confirmed as a prisoner of war (POW). He was held as a prisoner of war in Java and then Changi prison camp. Harry Maxwell Tysoe is the grandson of POW Private Harry Tysoe, AIF 2/4th MGB, who died as a POW and is buried at Yokohama War Cemetery. He is also the grandson of POW Private Alfred Platt, AIF 2/3rd MGB, who made it home after being a POW in Java, Thailand and finally, Japan.
They attended a POW research forum, met with Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ms. Akiko Ikuina, and laid flowers at the Yokohama Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery. They visited the Hiroshima Museum and heard harrowing stories of what took place. They laid a wreath at the Memorial Monument for Hiroshima, where the names of those who died as a result of the atomic bomb are etched into the memorial. They visited the POW camp at Kobe where Harry’s grandfather was imprisoned. They visited the Juganji Temple to the east of Osaka city where a Buddhist priest was given charge to watch over the ashes of 1086 POWs, including Harry’s grandfather, until the end of the war. Participants described the exchange as a pilgrimage and a once in a lifetime opportunity.
Read more:
2024
RSL Deputy National President Duncan Anderson represented RSL Australia. Accompanying him from RSL Victoria was Ms. Joy Derham 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. Duncan Anderson describes the trip as “an incredibly humbling experience.”
Read more:
Japan-Australia Grassroots Program leads reconciliation efforts for a better future - RSL Australia
Reconciling with Changi, Forgiving Hiroshima - RSL Queensland
2023
RSL National President Greg Melick represented RSL Australia. Accompanying him from RSL NSW was Lesley Callcott and Leigh Gilbert from RSL Queensland. Leigh is the daughter of Cyril Gilbert, who was captured after the fall of Singapore in 1942 and remained a prisoner for three and a half years, building the Burma-Thailand Railway and as a prisoner in Changi Prison. Leigh describes the Grassroots Exchange experience as an “amazing privilege” and a chance to seek closure, apology, and some idea of what Japanese people went through during WWII.
Read more:
POW’s Daughter shares her journey of reconciliation - RSL Queensland
