Upgrading Security Cooperation between Japan and Australia
Both Japan and Australia are important to the development of the Indo-Pacific region. They share a common commitment to upholding the rule of law, democracy, and human rights. On October 22, the Prime Ministers of Japan and Australia signed a revised joint declaration to enhance their security cooperation. As the relationship between Japan and Australia grew after the two countries signed an agreement in 2015. These two countries also established a joint declaration on security cooperation in 2007. Both Australia and Japan have close ties with the US and other countries such as South Korea and India. They have also formed a security partnership that includes areas such as law enforcement, maritime security, and disarmament. They hold 2+2 talks regularly with their defense and foreign ministers. They reaffirmed their commitment to promoting the Indo-Pacific region through a free, open, and prosperous exchange.
The updated joint declaration covers various areas such as cyber security, intelligence, and military. This is because of China's growing assertiveness and expansionist behavior. The declaration was built using the Reciprocal Access Agreement between Australia and Japan, which was signed in January 2022. This agreement allows both the countries to enhance their military cooperation. Japan's Self-Defense Forces will participate in military exercises with Australia. The two leaders also agreed to work together to ensure that disputes in the Indo-Pacific region are resolved peacefully. Moreover, it is very important for Japan and Australia to enhance their interoperability and strategic alignment with the US. They also support the Association of Southeast Asian Nations' (ASEAN) centrality and the region's outlook for stability.
One of Japan's closest security partners is Australia. The two nations also have a common commitment to strengthening their economic relationship. They aim to establish resilient supply chains and promote the use of clean energy technologies. Also, the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine has raised concerns about the energy security of both Japan and Australia. This issue should be addressed by the two countries. Through their access to various resources, such as hydrogen, LNG, and critical minerals, Japan can greatly improve its energy security.
Whereas, one of the most important factors that contributes to the development of the relationship between Japan and Australia is the establishment of a critical minerals partnership. This agreement will allow both the nations to strengthen their supply chains. They have also been working together on improving their cyber defenses. The updated joint declaration emphasizes the importance of the 2+2 talks between Australia and Japan. It also stated that the two countries should work together to address regional issues. The declaration was signed in 2007 and provided a framework for the development of the relationship between these two nations. The new declaration calls for the implementation of a reciprocal access agreement.
As the establishment of the relationship between Australia and Japan is very important due to the country's constitutional constraints preventing it from exercising collective self-defense. In 2015, Japan was able to pass a peace and security legislation that allowed the Self-Defense Forces to carry out collective self-defense. This allowed the country's military to protect its personnel and defend itself in times of crisis. One of the main issues that contributes to the development of the relationship between Australia and Japan is the increasing threat that China poses to the region. This issue was discussed in the joint statement issued by the two countries' foreign ministers. The two countries also noted the importance of maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific.
Since the Ukraine crisis began, Japan has been experiencing energy insecurity. As a supplier of energy, Australia has been able to provide Japan with some of its energy needs. During a meeting between the leaders of the two nations, it was also discussed how to secure liquefied natural gas (LNG) for Japan's future needs.
Also, the establishment of the Trilateral Security Partnership involving the US, UK, and Australia in September 2021 has increased the scope and nature of the mini-lateral cooperation within the Indo-Pacific. The goal of the alliance is to promote deeper technology sharing and industrial bases, as well as enhance the interoperability and capabilities of the three countries. However, Japan was surprised by Australia's decision to build attack submarines using the cooperation of the UK and the US. The construction of nuclear-powered submarines is expected to contribute to the development of the relationship between the two nations. It also aims to maintain a steady and balanced presence in the Indo-Pacific region.
The establishment of the AUKUS would allow the UK to participate in the Indo-Pacific region, which would help Japan strengthen its defense ties with the UK. Australia is expected to become the seventh nuclear submarine power in the world, which would have a significant impact on the security of Japan and its non-proliferation policy. Australia's ability to develop anti-submarine warfare capabilities has raised concerns about the growing threat of China. This could prove beneficial for Japan as it would allow it to counter the growing threat of China. The establishment of the AUKUS would also help Japan strengthen its defense capabilities. It is a good example of how the country can work with other like-minded nations to maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific.
The rise of the Quad has increased the security ties between its members, such as India, Japan, and Australia. As energy-dependent countries, both Japan and Australia consider energy flows as a vital part of their national security. They will continue to work together to develop the energy sector. As a country that relies on China for its energy needs, Australia is trying to diversify its exports of natural resources such as coal and gas to Japan, which is a profitable alternative. Both Australia and Japan are preparing their forces to assist each other's strategic goals. They also noted that they value the support of the US and look forward to working with it on projects related to their relationship.
The US-Australia alliance is very important for the stability of the Indo-Pacific and the world. Japan and Australia can maintain their strong ties with the US by developing close cooperation between the two nations. This will help maintain a rules-based order and improve the Tokyo-Canberra ties. As the great power competition in the Indo-Pacific region intensifies, it is important that regional actors such as Australia and Japan maintain a strong and inclusive security order.
Conclusion
The 2007 signing of the Joint Declaration by Prime Ministers Abe and John Howard marked a significant step in the development of the Japan-Australia relationship. At that time, it was regarded as a historic event as it marked the establishment of the two nations' security ties following the 9/11 attacks on the US. For Japan, it was the second security agreement that was signed since 1945. The original declaration of the 2007 Japan-Australia joint declaration focused on humanitarian and development issues, as well as the environment and refugee crisis. However, due to Japan's limited military capabilities, it was not able to create a security treaty. Some of the key developments that occurred during the 2007 declaration included the establishment of an annual defense and foreign ministers' dialogue, as well as a commitment to placing regional issues at the top of bilateral discussions. the 2007 and 2014 Declarations on Security Cooperation and the Special Strategic Partnership have become integral parts of the relationship between Japan and Australia. They have also helped strengthen the two nations' foreign, economic, and security policies It also provided the necessary conditions for the implementation of the RAA. The declaration highlighted the various activities that the two nations would conduct together. These include joint exercises and operations, as well as the mutual use of facilities.
Now, the revised declaration, which is not a security treaty, provides a framework for the two nations to address their security concerns. It also goes beyond what was in the original declaration. This revised declaration provides a framework for the two nations to address their security concerns. Although the original declaration provided the necessary conditions for the implementation of the RAA, it was not able to allow Japan to exercise its collective self-defense. This was due to the unconstitutionality of the declaration. In 2015, the Japanese Self-Defense Forces were allowed to escort and protect other countries' military personnel. This new legislation allows the SDF to carry out its duties in a more effective manner. Both Japan and Australia have been able to benefit from the US-led international rules-based order. Through the establishment of security treaties with the US, they have been able to enjoy various security arrangements. One of these is the trilateral dialogue between the two nations. This was emphasized in the declaration.
Although the declaration doesn't explicitly mention China, it is focused on addressing the country's increasing assertiveness in the region. One of the key areas of concern that the two nations identified was the establishment of a free and open Indo-Pacific. This was evidenced by the multiple clauses that were included in the declaration, such as the establishment of a market-oriented investment system and the protection of diverse supply chains. The fact can also be considered that, the two countries signed a security pact to counter China. Even since 2016, Australia's relationship with China has significantly deteriorated. This has resulted in a decline in trade and communication between the two countries' leaders. At the same time, the relationship with the US has strengthened following the establishment of the Quad arrangement, which includes Australia, India, and Japan. Despite the establishment of the security pact, Japan's defense capabilities are constitutionally limited. This has been a hindrance to the formal alliance between the two nations.
Pic Courtsey-Pankaj Jha
(The views expressed are those of the author and do not represent views of CESCUBE.)
