Possibilities for Japan-Australia Cooperation

Overview

This article analyzes the historical development and current state of Japan-Australia relations, discussing the role both countries should play as middle powers in maintaining the "rules-based international order." ## Key Points ### 1. Historical Transformation of Japan-Australia Relations - After WWII, Prime Minister Menzies led the relationship restart, stating "hostility towards Japan should be put aside" - In 2014, Prime Minister Abe expressed gratitude for "the spirit of tolerance and friendship" before the Australian Parliament - October 2022 "Japan-Australia Joint Declaration on Security Cooperation" explicitly stated mutual consultation and response measures during emergencies - Australia is positioned as a "special strategic partner" and "quasi-ally" for Japan ### 2. Economic Interdependence Relationship - Japan is Australia's second-largest export partner and third-largest import partner - Australia is Japan's third-largest import partner - Japan's resource imports: two-thirds of coal, one-third of LNG, and 60% of iron ore from Australia - Top Australian exports: coal (39%), natural gas (30%), iron ore (9%) - Top Japanese exports: passenger cars (41%), commercial vehicles (9%), refined oil (9%) - Japan's trade deficit with Australia is about 4 times, but not considered problematic (complementary relationship) ### 3. Common Strategic Challenges - Both countries are democracies that value "rule of law" - Located in the Western Pacific, facing China's unilateral status quo changes - China's military spending is 6 times Japan's, 10 times Australia's - China's economic scale is 4 times Japan's, 10 times Australia's - When Australia called for independent COVID-19 investigation in 2020, China implemented economic coercion ### 4. Depth of People-to-People Exchanges - 2023 Japanese residents abroad: Australia ranks 3rd with 100,000 (1st US 410,000, 2nd China 100,000) - Extremely large number considering Australia's population size - Factors include study abroad popularity and Japanese corporate investment in resources and infrastructure - Joint workshop between University of Sydney and Institute of Geoeconomics confirmed importance of public-private cooperation ### 5. Role as Middle Powers - Neither great powers nor small states, Japan and Australia can exert influence in maintaining "rules-based international order" - As core CPTPP members, play important role in expansion to value-sharing countries like EU - Need for joint response to US unilateral additional tariffs - Framework development for mutual support (insurance function) and joint countermeasures (retaliation function) against economic coercion from China and others - Strengthening Japan-Australia defense cooperation as part of lattice defense system beyond hub-and-spoke ### 6. Future Challenges and Recommendations - Lack of mutual understanding between Japan-Australia strategic communities is barrier to deepening defense cooperation - Accurate understanding of Australia's equipment demands essential for defense equipment transfers - Importance of prior consultation with businesses when introducing new policies (avoiding surprises) - Joint response to global risks (geopolitical and environmental risks, nuclear proliferation, WTO rule violations, etc.) ### 7. Evolution from Former Enemies to Strategic Partners - Transformation from WWII adversaries to closest allies demonstrates possibility of overcoming historical animosity - Shared democratic values and commitment to international law provide foundation for cooperation - Both countries learned from past conflicts and chose multilateral engagement over unilateralism - Success story offers model for other regional relationships and conflict resolution ### 8. Regional Security Architecture Development - Japan-Australia cooperation extends beyond bilateral to multilateral frameworks - QUAD partnership with US and India creates strategic balance in Indo-Pacific - Integration with AUKUS and other regional security initiatives - Building resilient supply chains and technology partnerships to counter authoritarian influence ### 9. Economic Security and Technological Cooperation - Critical minerals cooperation ensures supply chain resilience for advanced technologies - Joint research and development in emerging technologies including AI, quantum computing, and clean energy - Coordination on export controls and technology transfer policies - Development of alternative economic partnerships to reduce dependence on potentially hostile states ### 10. Long-term Strategic Vision and Implementation The article concludes that having transformed from former enemies to best friends, there are no insurmountable obstacles when Japan and Australia cooperate. The partnership represents a model for middle power collaboration in an era of great power competition, demonstrating that shared values and strategic interests can overcome historical divisions and create lasting foundations for peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.