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news, federal politics, aukus, japan-australia relations, shiro armstrong, china, national security, geopolitics
A new report has called on Australia to reimagine its strong relationship with Japan beyond regional security and trade, as climate change and China’s assertiveness disrupt global structures. Resorting to English-speaking allies outside the Asia-Pacific region was limiting the country’s ability to “survive and thrive” in the 21st century, according to the Australian National University report released on Sunday evening. Instead, the report calls on Australia to take stock of its regional partner and start working to bring the two countries, and their populations, closer together through tourism and language. The director of the university’s Japanese research center and author of the report, Associate Professor Shiro Armstrong, said the two countries already share many common strategic interests. With China acting more assertively in the region and the United States becoming more inward-looking in recent years, it was time for Australia to step up things with Japan, he said. “We really need to redouble our efforts to understand Japan, build relationship capacity with Japan and improve that relationship as we face uncertainties in the future,†Associate Professor Armstrong said. “We want the relationship to be fair for the future.” The East Asian country is Australia’s second-largest source of investment and was Australia’s second-largest trading partner until commodity trade fell last year. Two-thirds of Japan’s energy use is supplied by Australia’s fossil fuel industry, which faces a toll as countries look to shift to greener industries and technologies. Associate Professor Armstrong said now is the time to start considering these major reforms. “We’re a big part of their energy use, but it’s in coal and LNG, so that’s going to change over time,†the associate professor said. “We need to get ahead and create bilateral frameworks where we can leverage Japanese investments in hydrogen, renewable energy, to transform this trade relationship.” A meeting between country leaders at COP26 in early November reaffirmed their shared commitment to tackle climate change with newly elected Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, meeting Australia’s recent net zero emissions target. here 2050. READ MORE: But a reimagining would mean more than just boosting defensive cooperation and boosting trade deals. Reducing the cultural and linguistic divide between the two populations was also essential, according to the report. Increasing the number of cultural and educational exchange programs, encouraging and rewarding Japanese language learning, and removing barriers to work visas, such as the work visa agreement with the UK, were avenues. possible. The report’s release comes months after Japanese Ambassador to Australia Shingo Yamagami told business leaders and the government that Japan would be Australia’s “true friend” amid mounting tensions in the country. region. Mr. Yamagami said it was important to respect the rule of law in difficult times and not to resort to unilateral and arbitrary measures when disputes arise. But if relations were to deteriorate further, Japan would be Australia’s “true friend”, he said. “We have to be careful not to exacerbate tensions on our part, but when the going comes you will know who your true friend is,” Yamagami said in June. “This is the kind of time when Australia needs real friends and Japan is alongside Australia.” Our journalists work hard to provide local and up-to-date news to the community. Here’s how you can continue to access our trusted content:
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The use of English-speaking allies outside the Asia-Pacific region limited the country’s ability to “survive and prosper” on the 21st.st century, according to the Australian National University report released on Sunday evening.
Instead, the report calls on Australia to take stock of its regional partner and start working to bring the two countries, and their populations, closer together through tourism and language.
The director of the university’s Japanese research center and author of the report, Associate Professor Shiro Armstrong, said the two countries already share many common strategic interests.
“We really need to redouble our efforts to understand Japan, build relationship capacity with Japan and improve that relationship as we face uncertainties in the future,†Associate Professor Armstrong said.
“We want the relationship to be fair for the future.”
The East Asian country is Australia’s second-largest source of investment and was Australia’s second-largest trading partner until commodity trade fell last year.
Two-thirds of Japan’s energy use is supplied by Australia’s fossil fuel industry, which faces a toll as countries look to shift to greener industries and technologies.
Associate Professor Armstrong said now is the time to start considering these major reforms.
“We’re a big part of their energy use, but it’s in coal and LNG, so that’s going to change over time,†the associate professor said.
“We need to get ahead and create bilateral frameworks where we can leverage Japanese investments in hydrogen, renewable energy, to transform this trade relationship.”
But a reimagining would mean more than just strengthening defensive cooperation and spurring trade deals.
Reducing the cultural and linguistic divide between the two populations was also essential, according to the report.
Increasing the number of cultural and educational exchange programs, encouraging and rewarding Japanese language learning, and removing barriers to work visas, such as the work visa agreement with the UK, were avenues. possible.
Japanese Ambassador to Australia Shingo Yamagami has previously spoken of the importance of strengthening ties between Japan and Australia. Photo: Dion Georgopoulos
Mr. Yamagami said it was important to respect the rule of law in difficult times and not to resort to unilateral and arbitrary measures when disputes arise.
But if relations were to deteriorate further, Japan would be Australia’s “true friend”, he said.
“We have to be careful not to exacerbate tensions on our part, but when time is of the essence you will know who your true friend is,” Yamagami said in June.
“This is the kind of time when Australia needs real friends and Japan is hereby alongside Australia.”
Our reporters work hard to provide local and up-to-date news to the community. Here’s how you can continue to access our trusted content:
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