Australia-Japan relations
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Australia-Japan relations have elements of tension as well as acknowledged mutuality of interests. Memories of World War II linger among Australians, as does a contemporary fear of Japanese economic domination, although such fears have fallen off in response to Japan's economic stagnation of the 1990s. At the same time, government and business leaders see Japan as a vital export market and an essential element in Australia's future growth and prosperity in the Asia Pacific region.
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[edit] Diplomatic relations
Australia and Japan celebrated the thirtieth anniversary of the 1976 Basic Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation in 2006. In a joint statement issued in March 2006, Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer and Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso declared that the 'partnership' between Australia and Japan, based on 'shared democratic values, mutual respect, deep friendship, and shared strategic views', to be 'stronger than ever'.
Australia and Japan have agreed to work together to strengthen various regional forums, including the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and the East Asia Summit (EAS).
In March 2007 Australia and Japan signed a joint security pact. [1]
[edit] Economic relations
Australian trade had shifted away from other Commonwealth countries toward Asia from around sixties and seventies. Japan in particular had emerged as the leading trading partner. Japan is now the largest export market for Australia, although Japan is ranked only third as an exporter to Australia after America and China. Because of this, Australia has had a trade surplus with Japan.
Australia is a predominant source of food and raw materials for Japan. In 1990 Australia accounted for 5.3 percent of total Japanese imports, a share that held relatively steady in the late 1980s. Australia was the largest single supplier of coal, iron ore, wool, and sugar to Japan in 1990. Australia is also a supplier of uranium. Japanese investment by 1988 made Australia the single largest source of Japanese regional imports. The ban on American and Canadian beef recently made Australia the largest supplier of beef in Japan.
Resource development projects in Australia attracted Japanese capital, as did trade protectionism by necessitating local production for the Australian market. Investments in Australia totaled US$8.1 billion in 1988, accounting for 4.4 percent of Japanese direct investment abroad. But, because of the broadening reach of Japan's foreign investment, this share had been declining, down from 5.9 percent in 1980. During the 1980s, Japanese real estate investment increased in Australia, particularly in the ocean resort area known as the Gold Coast, where Japanese presence was strong enough to create some resentment.
As Japan protects its agriculture, Australia faces quotas, high tariffs, and unusual[citation needed] standards barriers in exporting agricultural products, including beef, butter, and apples, to Japan, and Australia is eager to sign a Free trade agreement with Japan.
Both nations attract a considerable number of tourists from the other country, with Australia being a favourite diving and surfing spot and Japan famous for its culture, especially in Kyoto.
[edit] See also
[edit] Reference
- Joint Ministerial Statement, Australia-Japan, 'Building a Comprehensive Strategic Relationship', Sydney, 18 March 2006, [2]
