Evolution of the Australia-Japan Security Partnership: Toward a Softer Triangle Alliance with the United States?

Abstract

The second Armitage-Nye report describes the most desirable Asian structure in terms of U.S. interests as follows: An open structure in which Japan, India, Australia, Singapore, and others … based on partnerships with the United States and shared democratic values, is the most effective way to realize an agenda for Asia that emphasizes free markets, continued prosperity based on the rule of law, and increasing political freedom.… Working within Asia in this manner … will be key to positively influencing the growth and direction of all of Asia, including China, thereby “getting Asia right.”1 In this context, the recent development of Australia-Japan security and defense partnership was a welcome move to the United States. Both nations have rapidly established regular ministerial and senior official consultations and meetings, developed in a similar way that the U.S.-Japan and U.S.-Australia alliances have advanced. The year 2007 can be seen as the beginning year for both nations’ serious commitment to security cooperation; the Japan-Australia Joint Declaration on Security Cooperation (JDSC) in March, the inaugural Japan-Australia Joint Foreign and Defense Ministerial Consultations (Two-Plus-Two talks) in June, and the Action Plan based on the JDSC in September. As for military exercises, Japanese Self-Defense Forces (JSDFs) participated for the first time in the U.S.-Australia joint exercise in June as an observer and the first trilateral P-3C exercise was also implemented in October. An open structure in which Japan, India, Australia, Singapore, and others … based on partnerships with the United States and shared democratic values, is the most effective way to realize an agenda for Asia that emphasizes free markets, continued prosperity based on the rule of law, and increasing political freedom. … Working within Asia in this manner … will be key to positively influencing the growth and direction of all of Asia, including China, thereby “getting Asia right.”1 KeywordsAsia Pacific Economic CooperationEast Asia SummitEast Asian CommunityMilitary BuildupEmerge TrendThese keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.