Japan and Australia have been strengthening their security relationship almost continuously from the end of the Cold War through to the present day. Originally, cooperation between the two countries centered on peacekeeping operations (PKO) and non-traditional security issues, but has gradually expanded even to encompass traditional security cooperation with an eye to military preparedness. Today, it is not unusual for the two countries’ relationship to be described as a “quasi-alliance.” Some consider that in practical terms at least, Japan-Australia cooperation is now comparable to a formal alliance.
Why has Japan-Australia security cooperation strengthened to such a degree? This article sheds light on this question primarily by examining three factors: the rise of China, alliance relationships with the United States, and Japan and Australia’s shared view of what constitutes a desirable international and regional order.
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This article proceeds below to review the timeline of Japan-Australia security cooperation since the end of the Cold War, explaining the processes whereby this bilateral cooperation evolved to the point that it is described as a “quasi-alliance” relationship. The paper then examines Japan-Australia security cooperation since the Prime Ministership of Yoshihide Suga in Japan, identifying the challenges facing bilateral security cooperation and commenting on prospects for its future.
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The views, conclusions and recommendations expressed in this report are solely those of its author(s) and do not reflect the view of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung, or its employees.