Embassies Oceania

Japan runs 12 embassies in Oceania and the Pacific, from Canberra and Wellington to small island capitals such as Majuro, Koror and Tarawa, plus consulates in five Australian and two New Zealand cities. A few island states are covered from a neighboring capital. This overview lists the addresses published by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (MOFA), explains which mission covers which country and why the region carries so much weight in Japanese foreign policy.

What the Missions in the Region Do

• Visas and entry: Australian and New Zealand citizens can visit Japan for up to 90 days without a visa. Long stays, work and study need a visa, usually based on a Certificate of Eligibility from Japan’s Immigration Services Agency.
• Working holidays: Japan’s first working holiday agreement was signed with Australia and took effect in 1980, followed by New Zealand in 1985. Young Australians and New Zealanders apply for the visa at the Japanese mission for their area.
• Japanese citizens: passports, certificates, family register notifications, overseas voting and help in emergencies, including cyclones and earthquakes.
• Development and history: aid projects in the island states, and cooperation in recovering and repatriating the remains of Japanese soldiers who died in the Pacific War.

Embassy and Consulate Addresses by Country

Addresses and phone numbers as published by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan and by the missions themselves. Opening hours, appointment rules and visa counters differ from office to office; check the official website of the mission before you go.

Why the Pacific Matters to Japan

Shared History

From 1914 to 1945 Japan administered Palau, the Marianas, the Caroline Islands and the Marshall Islands, first as an occupying power and from 1920 under a League of Nations mandate, with its regional government in Koror. Many Palauans and Micronesians still carry Japanese family names. The Pacific War brought some of its fiercest battles to the region, among them Guadalcanal, Tarawa, Peleliu and the campaigns in New Guinea. The recovery of war dead continues today with the consent of the island governments.

The Ocean

The exclusive economic zones of the island states cover a vast part of the Pacific and hold some of the world’s richest tuna grounds, which Japanese fleets fish under access agreements. Shipping routes from Australia, Japan’s main supplier of coal, iron ore and liquefied natural gas, cross the same waters. Climate change, rising sea levels and the 2023 start of the release of treated water from the Fukushima Daiichi plant are recurring topics in Japan’s talks with the island states.

The PALM Summits

Since 1997 Japan has hosted the Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM) every three years, bringing together the leaders of the Pacific Islands Forum members. The tenth meeting, PALM10, took place in Tokyo in July 2024. The summits set the priorities for Japanese aid, from disaster preparedness and ports to health and education.

Applying for a Visa or Working Holiday Visa

1. Check whether your passport allows visa-free entry. Australia and New Zealand do; rules for other Pacific nationalities differ.
2. Find the mission responsible for your place of residence. In Australia, for example, residents of Queensland apply in Brisbane and residents of Western Australia in Perth.
3. For a working holiday visa, prepare the application form, passport, photo, a proposed itinerary, proof of sufficient funds and, where required, a curriculum vitae and a letter explaining the plan for the stay.
4. Before flying, complete the immigration and customs steps on Visit Japan Web.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the Japanese embassy in Australia?

At 112 Empire Circuit in Yarralumla, Canberra. Consular services are also offered in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Cairns.

Which Japanese embassy covers Nauru and Tuvalu?

The Embassy of Japan in Suva, Fiji. The Cook Islands and Niue are covered by the embassy in Wellington.

Can New Zealanders get a working holiday visa for Japan?

Yes. The scheme has existed since 1985 and is open to young New Zealand citizens within the agreed age limits.

Is there a Japanese consulate in Christchurch?

Yes. The Consular Office of Japan in Christchurch is at 172 Hereford Street.