Stronger ties for Australia, Japan

Scott Morrison and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida recently reaffirmed the two nations’ strategic partnership and announced the signing of the Reciprocal Access Agreement.

As described in the joint statement, the agreement: “underscores their commitment to further evaluating bilateral security and defence cooperation in the interests of peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region”.

This announcement is notable for several reasons. While it covers more than defence and security, there was a clear emphasis on those factors and the likelihood of greater collaboration between the Japanese and Australian defence industries.

According to data from the United Nations, Australian exports to Japan in 2020 were more than $US30 billion, while Japanese exports to Australia exceeded $US12 billion.

There are some sizable Japanese defence companies, such as huge conglomerates Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI), Toshiba Corporation, Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, Kawasaki Heavy Industries and Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industry Corporation.

Additionally, a Japanese bid was among those considered to replace the Australian Collins-class submarine.

MHI and Kawasaki Shipbuilding Corporation ultimately failed in their bid, but it represented an important exercise as Japanese industry learns how to export its defence capabilities and expand its role in the Australian defence supply chain.

In this instance, Japanese and French media reported the failing of the Japanese bid was due to the range and speed of the platform presented, and a reluctance by the Japanese to engage in technology transfer, preferring to build the submarines in Japan rather than Australia. There is no doubt that Japanese businesses will learn from this and other experiences and will continue to grow in importance and connection with Australian industry.

Under the Australia-Japan RAA, the Australian Defence Force and the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) will: “Facilitate cooperative activities such as joint exercises and disaster relief operations, including those of greater scale and complexity, while improving the interoperability and capability of the two countries’ forces”, according to the joint statement.

The JSDF has more than 250,000 personnel, with the naval branch operating 154 ships and 346 aircraft, and the air branch operating more than 700 aircraft. This includes platforms already in use within Australia’s ADF.

It is also worth noting the uniqueness of Japan’s ‘self-defense’ description. Following WWII, Japan renounced war. The rearming of Japan in the 1950s was therefore framed as self-defence. The current geopolitical climate in the Indo-Pacific provides the opportunity to expand Japanese activities under that description.

The mission of achieving and defending a free and open Indo-Pacific is prominent within this agreement. Furthermore, it has been one of the central pillars of Mr Kishida’s political agenda during his time as foreign minister (five years) and a very brief stint as acting defense minister.

This bodes well for Australia, as these experiences will drive commitment towards actions under the RAA and other subsequent agreements.

The repeated reference to the common goal of a free and open Indo-Pacific for all nations is significant in how it potentially repositions Australia’s capacity to engage in bilateral relationships with Asia.

Within the last six months, I have witnessed diplomats and foreign affairs scholars question Australia’s ability to engage bilaterally in North Asia, and the points raised made perfect sense. While our North Asian friends offer important strategic value to Australia relative to the threats, these highly respected professionals questioned what Australia could offer from the south, further away from the threat than those we are seeking to partner with.

This highlighted the importance of multilateral relationships, such as the Quad (Quadrilateral Security Dialogue between Australia, US, India and Japan), where Australia could leverage its relationships with multiple nations to add value.

The shared goal of a free and open Indo-Pacific shifts Australia’s relevance as a bilateral partner in North Asia, strengthening industry-to-industry ties in the process. Australia then becomes a critical partner in achieving that collective aim, rather than simply a potential contributor to immediate self-defence concerns.

Australia and Japan have a crucial role to play in that shared goal, not just for themselves but for many smaller Indo-Pacific nations.

Considering this in combination with the bilateral and multi-lateral context, the Australia-Japan RAA must be applauded for signalling the genuine intentions of our Japanese friends in achieving a free and open Indo-Pacific.

• Kristian Constantinides is the general manager of Airflite, and chairperson of AIDN-WA; the opinions expressed are purely his own