Pre-Pacific War Japanese espionage and propaganda activities in Australia: a case of too little too late

Abstract

ABSTRACTLeading up to the Pacific War, Japanese legations around the world undertook significant espionage and propaganda activities to either collect intelligence on potential adversaries, or to shape local opinion favourably towards Japanese expansionist policies. Australia was no exception. Japanese diplomats based in Sydney worked closely with Japanese corporations and local enablers in coordinating covert and overt activities which assisted Japan in preparing for war in the Pacific, and ultimately for war against Australia. Although Japan failed to collect high value military intelligence against Australia, and its subtle and well-organised local propaganda campaign could not erase negative public perceptions of Japanese militarism in China, its vast economic intelligence collection activities likely proved highly useful in rebuilding post-war relations with Australia.