Australians have been told repeatedly that they ‘punch above their weight’ in international affairs and in Japan in particular. This is true when we plan, prepare and understand what special value it is that we can add to the international conversation. It is not true simply because we are Australians and export a lot.
Prime Minister Rudd’s recent visit to Japan received much less Japanese media coverage than it might have. Public reach is important in the conduct of international affairs. Australia does not automatically register on the Japanese radar screen. The preparation and planning of official trips to Japan have to take into account meticulously the highly organised nature of Japanese government. The Japanese public has a ‘them and us’ attitude on China. It is a central factor in Japanese international political psychology. Getting across to the Japanese public where we stand on managing the China relationship is important beyond being a large exporter and a good place to holiday. It gives us more street cred.

On the Japan side, there is little appreciation for the importance of the whaling issue and where most people come from on this issue in Australia (and New Zealand). Japanese officials in Australia might understand but in Tokyo the Ministry of Foreign Affairs allows the conservative fishing voice to carry the day because it assumes mistakenly that our passion over whales is roughly the same as the US. Tokyo fails to grasp the depth of Antipodean unwillingness to trade environmental issues for economic ones, which distinguishes us from the US. Not to mention the populist and nationalist sentiments that let losse taking whales ‘from our territory’.

Neither of these blind spots is accidents waiting to happen. But recognising them and adjusting policy they can be used to each other’s advantage. Knowing that Japan views the world through a China lens, can give Australia an extra lever in relations with Japan. Similarly, understanding the populist and nationalistic concern for whales in Australia, would allow Japan to modify its policies and buy goodwill in Australia. Good driving is not only about knowing where you are going (about vision and direction), and taking short cuts when they present themselves (about tactics and strategy), but it also about avoiding potential accidents lurking just out of your view (about the blind spots).