Discuss the recent Australia-Japan relationship, its strengths and its problems. Where is it headed to in the future?
Australia-Japan relations are generally warm, and driven by mutual interests. Since the end of World War II, the relationship between Japan and Australia has expanded to economic activities, politics, culture, education and so forth [1]. In March of 2006, there was a joint statement issued between the Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer and the Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso declaring that the ‘partnership’ between Australia and Japan was ‘stronger than ever’. Australia and Japan have also agreed to work together in the reforming of the United Nations, and to strengthen various regional forums[2].
Australia and Japan signed a security pact in March of 2007, which planned for joint exercises and military personnel exchanges. Some of the security cooperation includes: border security, counter-terrorism, peace operations, humanitarian relief operations, etc[3]. “Australia’s relationship with Japan is one of our closest and most important. We are both liberal democracies. We share the same views on key issues… The relationship goes beyond trade and into our significant and strengthening political and security ties.[4]”
Dr Malcom Cook’s Institutionalising Interests: Japan-Australia Relations in the 21st Century Conference Outcomes Report states that while the conference was on one of Australia’s most important bilateral relationships, Japan, regional themes shaped the discussions of the Australia-Japan relations in the present and future. “A couple of the participants noted that you cannot understand Australia-Japan relations unless you look at them from a regional perspective.[5]”
“No one can doubt the strength of the relationship between Japan and Australia and the many benefits each of our nations gain from it across a wide spectrum of areas. Yet we would be foolish to take it for granted by not exploring opportunities for even closer links in the future. The relationship between Australia and Japan does have a very special quality. It is a magnificent model to the rest of the world of how two countries with vastly different cultures and very different histories can come together and achieve, through the recognition of their common objectives and their common goals, a great friendship.[6]”
However, with the recent election of Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, it has been thought that he is more focused on courting Beijing rather than keeping relations strong with Tokyo. Arguably, many also believe that Japan’s Mr Fukuda is more concerned with China and Korea than with Australia. Some believe that even though there is a less proactive interest in each other, that it does not mean that the relationship between the two countries are cooling[7]. The Australia and Japanese relations have been growing for some time, and people believe that they will continue to do so in the future. With good political and economic relations, Japan and Australia can continue with a great friendship; however, if the countries’ leaders ‘forget’ about each other and shy away from attempting to strengthen the relationship that is currently there, it will slowly degrade until it resembles something akin to a newly formed friendship. I believe that if Prime Minister Kevin Rudd were concerning himself with Beijing, that there is no reason why he can’t continue to strengthen Australia’s relationship with Japan.
Although the slight shift regarding each other, Australia and Japan still look set to become closer (albeit slowly) to each other despite setbacks such as certain issues with whaling, memories of World War II, and such. In terms of economy and culture, the flux between Australia and Japan are rather healthy, there are also many Australians studying at Japanese Universities and vice versa.
“To be fully accepted in the Asia-Pacific region Australia needs a new foreign policy and a cultural change in the community.[8]” When Prime Minister John Howard was in government, his approach to Asia was that of mutual respect and shared interest; Australia would cultivate ‘practical regionalism’ but not ‘emotional regionalism’. Alexander Downer seemed to think the latter was impossible due to the historical and cultural differences. I believe that such aloofness towards Asia may have hindered our relationship with Japan in some ways. The current government under Prime Minister Kevin Rudd at least attempts to reverse what the previous government had done, which is immensely significant for international relations.
Although Australia and Japan are slowly working toward a closer relationship despite certain setbacks, it seems as though the Australian tourist industry is doing nothing to help with the relationship as it is relying on the same old things. According to CDNN in 2006, the number of Japanese tourists heading to Australia hit an all time low. “They don’t find Australia attractive anymore,” Japan’s largest tour company JALPA said[9]. Australia was a leading destination for Japanese tourists in the 1990s, but it seems that those tourists are now vacationing to places such as the United States of America, Europe, and also China. Many when they go on holidays choose destinations closer and cheaper than Australia[10].
Australia-Japan relations have elements of tension as well as mutual interests. Memories of World War II linger, and there is also the clash about whaling. Japan and Australia have the opportunity to lead their relationship into a great friendship if they do not linger on the tensions and work to overcome them. “The Australian Government remains fully committed to building our relationship with Japan.[11]”
[1] The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, ‘Japan-Australia Relations’, October 2008. Online at <http://www.mofa.go.jp/region/asia-paci/australia/index.html>
[2] Wikipedia, ‘Australia-Japan Relations’, 16 October 2008. Online at <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese-Australian_relations>
[3] Japan Inc, ‘Australia-Japan Relations’, 5 December 2007. Online at <http://www.japaninc.com/jin443>
[4] The Hon Warren Truss MP, ‘The Future of Australia-Japan Relations’, 3 July 2007. Online at < http://www.trademinister.gov.au/speeches/2007/070701_japan_studies_conference.html>
[5] Cook, M, ‘Institutionalising Interests: Japan-Australia Relations in the 21st Century’, November 2007. Online at < http://www.lowyinstitute.org/Publication.asp?pid=707>
[6] PM John Howard, ‘Australia’s Relations with Japan’, 29 April 2001. Online at < http://www.australianpolitics.com/news/2001/01-04-29.shtml>
[7] Japan Inc, ‘Australia-Japan Relations’, 5 December 2007.
[8] Crabbe, S, ‘Australia’s Relations with Asia’, 18 April 2007. Online at < http://internationalaffairs.suite101.com/article.cfm/australias_relations_with_asia>
[9] CDNN, ‘Japan tourists tired of Australia’, 3 June 2006. Online at <http://www.cdnn.info/news/travel/t060603.html>
[10] McIntyre, D, ‘Australia asks: Where are the Japanese?’, 20 December 2006. Online at <http://www.iht.com/bin/print.php?id=3963111>
[11] The Hon Warren Truss MP, ‘The Future of Australia-Japan Relations’, 3 July 2007.
