Australia–Japan relations

Australia-Japan relations are generally warm, substantial and driven by mutual interests, and have expanded beyond strong economic and commercial links to other spheres, including culture, tourism, defence and scientific cooperation.

There are some lingering tensions in the relationship, related to enmity in World War II, whaling and Japan's perceived economic domination, although such fears have fallen off in response to Japan's economic stagnation of the 1990s and a greater awareness of economic issues. At the same time, Australian government and business leaders see Japan as a vital export market and an essential element in Australia's future growth and prosperity in the Asia Pacific region. Japan on its part regards Australia as a reliable source of energy, minerals and other primary products, a popular tourist destination, a useful conduit to the West and the only other middle ranking economic power in the Asia Pacific.

Australia and the Empire of Japan

The first Japanese person known to have settled in Australia was a merchant who immigrated to Queensland in 1871. By the start of the Australian Federation in 1901, it was estimated that Australia had 3000 Japanese immigrants. Further immigration was effectively terminated with the Australian Immigration Restriction Act of 1902, with the imposition of a “dictation test” in a European language on prospective immigrants, and with the White Australia policy. [Kodansha Encyclopedia, ISBN 4-06-205938-X, pp81-82]

However, economic relations continued to flourish, and by the mid-1930s, Japan had become Australia's second largest export market after the United Kingdom. However, in 1936, Britain applied political pressure on Australia to curb the import of Japanese textiles, which were damaging the British textile market in Australia. Japan reacted to the new tariffs with trade barriers of its own. After both sides realized that the trade war was unproductive, an agreement was reached in 1937 to relax restrictions.

In recognition of the importance of Japanese ties, Tokyo was the second capital (after Washington DC in the United States) where Australia established a legation separate from the British embassy.

During World War II, Australian territory was directly threatened by Japanese invasion, and Japanese forces attacked Darwin in Northern Australia and Sydney Harbor. In 1941, the ethnic Japanese population in Australia was interned, and most were deported to Japan at the end of the war. [ [http://museumvictoria.com.au/origins/history.aspx?id=33 Museum of Victoria home page] ] Australian forces played an active combat role in battles throughout the Southeast Asia and South West Pacific theater of World War II, and a significant role in the post-war Occupation of Japan.

Post-war relations

Australia and Japan celebrated the thirtieth anniversary of the 1976 Basic Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation in 2006. In a joint statement issued in March 2006, Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer and Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso declared that the 'partnership' between Australia and Japan, based on 'shared democratic values, mutual respect, deep friendship, and shared strategic views', to be 'stronger than ever'.

Australia and Japan have agreed to work together to strengthen various regional forums, including the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and the East Asia Summit (EAS).

In March 2007 Australia and Japan signed a joint security pact. [http://www.worldnewsaustralia.com.au/region.php?id=135473&region=2]

January 2008 saw diplomatic relations briefly worsen as Australia condemned Japan's self-proclaimed scientific whaling and the Federal Government intervened in the Australian High Court to declare the whaling illegal. Two Sea Shepherd protestors were captured by the Japanese whaling ship "Yushin Maru", one of whom was Australian. However, the situation was quickly solved when Japan's Institute of Cetacean Research ordered the ship to hand the two back to Australian Customs vessels.

Economic relations

Australian trade had shifted away from other Commonwealth countries toward Asia from around sixties and seventies. Japan in particular had emerged as the leading trading partner. Japan is now the second largest export market for Australia, although Japan is ranked only third as a source of imports to Australia after America and China. Because of this, Australia has had a trade surplus with Japan.

Australia is a predominant source of food and raw materials for Japan. In 1990 Australia accounted for 5.3 percent of total Japanese imports, a share that held relatively steady in the late 1980s. Australia was the largest single supplier of coal, iron ore, wool, and sugar to Japan in 1990. Australia is also a supplier of uranium. By 1988 Japanese investment made Australia the single largest source of Japanese regional imports. The ban on American and Canadian beef recently made Australia the largest supplier of beef in Japan.

Resource development projects in Australia attracted Japanese capital, as did trade protectionism by necessitating local production for the Australian market. Investments in Australia totaled US$8.1 billion in 1988, accounting for 4.4 percent of Japanese direct investment abroad. But, because of the broadening reach of Japan's foreign investment, this share had been declining, down from 5.9 percent in 1980. During the 1980s, Japanese real estate investment increased in Australia, particularly in the ocean resort area known as the Gold Coast, where Japanese presence was strong enough to create some resentment.

As Japan protects its agriculture, Australia faces quotas, high tariffs, and unusualFact|date=January 2007 standards barriers in exporting agricultural products including beef, butter, and apples to Japan. Australia is eager to sign a Free trade agreement with Japan.

Both nations attract a considerable number of tourists from the other country, with Australia being a favorite diving and surfing spot and Japan famous for its culture, especially in Kyoto.

See also

* Foreign relations of Australia
* Foreign relations of Japan

References

* Joint Ministerial Statement, Australia-Japan, 'Building a Comprehensive Strategic Relationship', Sydney, 18 March 2006, [http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/releases/2006/joint_statement-aus-japan_180306.html]

Notes