EDITORIAL: Australia Important Strategic Partner For Japan (2008/06/17, The Nikkei)
TOKYO (Nikkei)–With the Asia-Pacific region steadily gaining in both economic power and political clout, it is becoming increasingly important for Japan to further strengthen relations with countries like the U.S., China and South Korea. But there is another country that should not be missing from Japan’s regional strategy: Australia.
Japan and Australia share a lot of values and interests. Like Japan, Australia is an industrial democracy and a key U.S. ally in the region.
When the Labor Party returned to power in 2007 for the first time in 11 years, some Japanese observers voiced concerns that new Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, known for his deep knowledge about China, would steer the nation away from the foreign policy of his predecessor, John Howard, who gave great importance to the trilateral ties among the U.S., Japan and Australia.
Since taking office in December, however, Rudd has shown no signs of de-emphasizing the trilateral framework while making some notable moves in the areas of arms reduction and the environment, including ratifying the Kyoto Protocol.
The positions of the Rudd government on many key international issues are similar to Japan’s, and there are quite a few areas where cooperation between the two countries could be very productive.
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Japan and Australia have close and extended economic relations, with Australia supplying about 20% of Japan’s energy resources, including natural gas, uranium and coal. Aussie beef is now a fixture on dinner tables in many Japanese households.
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The close economic ties between the two countries supporting the stable supply of essential commodities to Japan would be further bolstered by a bilateral economic partnership agreement featuring a free trade pact.
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An economic partnership agreement with Australia, a natural resource superpower, is a strategic imperative for Japan’s economic security. The government should accelerate trade talks with Australia by overcoming the political obstacles posed by farm protectionism.
Closer and expanded relations between the two countries based on such a trade accord and cooperation in areas like national security and the environment would also contribute greatly to stability in the Asia-Pacific region.
(The Nikkei Tuesday morning edition)
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