Japan defence pact a step forward in deterring aggression
It is a profound moment, one that Australians and Japanese of a previous generation could never have imagined. One that our citizens today will see as another example of the growing strength and special nature of our bilateral relationship.
The signing of the RAA builds on our partnership and friendship with Japan – one that is based on shared values and interests, and on trust and respect. Significantly, it elevates our bilateral defence relationship with Japan to a new level. Japan is already one of our closest defence partners, and with this agreement we are paving the way for a new chapter of enhanced co-operation.
The purpose of the RAA is straightforward. It’s a treaty allowing our military forces to operate in each other’s countries. While Australia and Japan already have arrangements that facilitate specific joint defence activities, the RAA vastly broadens the scope of our defence co-operation. It’s a natural and confident step forward in defence engagement between the two countries.
The treaty will enable more frequent and sophisticated training exercises and operations between the Australian Defence Force and the Japan Self-Defence Forces, enhancing interoperability in the process.
In streamlining administrative processes, the RAA also speeds up physical force deployment into each other’s territory. And it will complement new mechanisms for the Japan Self-Defence Forces to protect the ADF’s weapons, equipment and assets in situations short of armed conflict.
Although uncomplicated in its intent, the RAA is nonetheless a complex pact, years in the making. Provisions have been meticulously drafted to support the treaty’s practical implementation, reconciling each country’s laws, administrative systems and international obligations.
Japan entered a similar status of forces agreement with the US in 1960 that allows US forces to be stationed in, and operate from, Japan. Significantly, the RAA with Australia will be the first reciprocal treaty Japan has signed with another nation.
The ninth 2+2 Foreign and Defence Ministerial Consultations, held virtually in June last year, reinforced our nations’ common defence interests and mutual objectives. Defence Minister Nobuo Kishi and I committed to increasing the practical defence initiatives of Australia and Japan, building on the more than 80 already agreed since 2014. We also pledged to step up bilateral co-operation in cyber and space capabilities, while nurturing stronger ties between our defence industrial bases. The signing of the RAA will support these aims.
Last July, the Japan Self-Defence Forces participated in the Australia-US Exercise Talisman Sabre. The closing activity was an amphibious landing in which, for the first time in history, forces from Australia, Japan, Britain and the US worked together from the same ship. Japan and Australia also trained with other partners during exercises La Perouse, Pacific Vanguard and Malabar last year. The RAA will help us undertake new joint force training initiatives.
Growing defence co-operation between Australia and Japan under our Special Strategic Partnership should neither come as a surprise nor be viewed in isolation. This agreement is another step in realising the 2020 Defence Strategic Update and Australia continues to strengthen defence engagement with international partners in support of shared regional security interests.
Like-minded nations are taking steps to buttress their own security, bolster defence co-operation bilaterally and multilaterally, and build partnerships.
They’re raising defence spending as a percentage of gross domestic product; coming together for joint exercises to improve interoperability; undertaking multinational deployments to uphold freedom of navigation and overflight in the region; deepening industrial base co-operation; strengthening collaboration in defence science, technology and research; and reinforcing commitments to established and emerging partnerships such as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Five Eyes, the Five Power Defence Arrangements and the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue.
Like-minded nations are responding in these ways because they have been witness to regional military expansion, a build-up on a scale and at a pace that, in a historical context, has rarely been seen before. Indeed, like-minded nations are waking up to difficult truths. That vigilance is not, in and of itself, a sufficient strategy to counter coercion. That in times of tension and uncertainty, peace cannot be maintained from a position of weakness. And that threats to sovereignty and security demand action, not indifference.
That is why like-minded nations are not standing still in the face of precarious circumstances in the Indo-Pacific. Every defence initiative counts cumulatively towards deterring aggression, strengthening regional stability and maintaining peace.
Peter Dutton is the Defence Minister.
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