Description
“In ‘News from Under the Southern Cross,’ Ambassador Yamagami Shingo brings us an intriguing set of insights about Australia. This is the perspective of a kind and affectionate friend, who nevertheless has the benefit of coming from the outside and looking with fresh eyes at our nation and its people. Here you will find insights about everything from Australia’s place in the world to our food, culture, history and sporting passions.
Be prepared to laugh, especially at the wonderfully told stories of encountering aggressive magpies, to be moved emotionally at the poignant descriptions of the bond that has grown between the people of Japan and the people of Australia, and to be challenged with new ideas about what our nation can and should do next.
Ambassador Yamagami Shingo has traversed more of Australia than many Australians and had conversations with people from all walks of life. What he learned from these travels and conversations is enriching for all of us.
We owe Ambassador Yamagami Shingo a debt of gratitude for bringing us these stories and reflections.” – Julia Gillard
Yamagami Shingo was anything but the-run-of-the-mill diplomat in his posting as Japanese ambassador to Australia. Envoys come and go, but in three years he made a lasting mark on Australians with his candour and strength of conviction. He certainly helped to alert us to the strategic challenges our region faces.
But he was a character as well as a thinker. It’s unheard of for an ambassador to put chopsticks on a bike helmet to deter swooping magpies. Like all Australians, though, he had to deal with all our country’s perils and, in the process, became a social media sensation!
This book provides first-class insights into our “sunburnt country”: our geography, culture and, especially, our people.
Shingo-san affectionately documents how he became a friend of Australia like few other ambassadors. Australia has been immensely enriched from his time under the Southern Cross.” – Tony Abbott
“Not only have I greatly enjoyed reading my friend the Ambassador’s book, learning things I didn’t know about Australia, such as Cowra has the best Japanese garden in the southern hemisphere! (I certainly look forward to visiting). But, also, I think this book is something all ambassadors from Australia should read, it’s truly a guide book on how to be an outstanding ambassador. As Ambassador Yamagami certainly was when he represented Japan as its Ambassador to Australia.” – Mrs. Gina Rinehart
“This book written by former Ambassador of Japan to Australia Yamagami Shingo, is an absolute tour de force and is an absolute must for anyone seeking to understand Japan’s broader foreign policy interest in Australia. It is entitled “News From Under The Southern Cross” and is over 400 pages long. It embraces Japan’s direct foreign policy interests in Australia and the bilateral political, economic and defence relationship. It includes some of the Ambassador’s major formal speeches. Many readers will be interested in the sheer depth and energy of Shingo Yamagami’s frequent visits around the entire continent of Australia. In the comparatively short time of 28 months of his posting to Canberra he made over 35 visits to Sydney, 25 visits to Melbourne, and he visited every State and Territory capital – as well as major regional centres such as Cowra (which he visited 9 times), and Broome and Thursday Island where there are significant Japanese cemeteries commemorating the deaths of Japanese pearl divers.” – Emeritus Professor Paul Dibb, AM
Ambassador Shingo YAMAGAMI, the former Ambassador of Japan, is one of Australia’s most hardworking and popular ambassadors. He communicated effectively with our nation’s leaders and built a rapport with ordinary people.
Shingo YAMAGAMI’s tenure in Australia was one in which he endeared the nation and a time when several historically significant events occurred. These unique events include the pandemic response, Queen Elizabeth II’s death, the Ukraine crisis, and rising political tensions in the South China Sea & East China Sea. In hindsight, many of his comments are now more relevant than ever.
In addition to these exceptional articles, News from Under the Southern Cross also offers Australian readers an insight into our culture through his exploration of the states, capitals, and less-explored tourist delights such as Morambah, Thursday Island, and Broome.
Shingo YAMAGAMI’s book News from Under the Southern Cross highlights how effective diplomacy can serve political needs and raise public perception via shared experiences. News from Under the Southern Cross has elevated the profile of both Japan and Australia.
News from Under the Southern Cross also creates a wonderful image of our land, discussing Australia’s many sporting achievements and events, culinary delights, Australian cinema, tourism, trade, space, the importance of hydrogen in reducing emissions, and Japanese culture in Australia. One of Australia’s best-feathered friends – the Magpie – also makes an appearance to secure its leading role as one of Australia’s most iconic animals. News from Under the Southern Cross chronicles the challenging political landscape of Shingo YAMAGAMI’s tenure. It is also a superbly entertaining book for anyone interested in Australian politics, culture, tourism, sports, or valuable tips on dealing with swooping magpies.
