Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and his Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida met virtually on Thursday to sign a historic Reciprocal Access Agreement to promote bilateral security and defence cooperation to ensure a peaceful and stable Indo-Pacific.
According to the Australian government’s statement, the leaders reaffirmed the importance of their existing Special Strategic Partnership based on human rights, democracy, free trade, the rule of law, and a rules-based international order. They also reiterated the role their annual meetings play in responding to an evolving strategic environment.
The Government of Japan and the Australian Government have finally signed the Japan-Australia Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA)! This agreement streamlines the procedures for reciprocal access and activities, and facilitates joint operations and exercises.🇯🇵🇦🇺
— Japan Ministry of Defense/Self-Defense Forces (@ModJapan_en) January 7, 2022
Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, meanwhile, said that the new agreement establishes cooperative activities, including joint exercises and disaster relief operations, between the Australian Defence Force and Japanese Self-Defence Forces. The two sides also asserted the importance of cooperation between the Japan Coast Guard and Australia’s Department of Home Affairs to facilitate information-sharing and collaboration in the maritime domain.
The Australia-Japan Reciprocal Access Agreement has been signed! A significant step forward for our defence relationship. It will enable enhanced interoperability between #YourADF and the Japan Self-Defence Forces, supporting a free and open Indo-Pacific. 🇦🇺🇯🇵 pic.twitter.com/68ddmcVwju
— General Angus Campbell (@CDF_Aust) January 7, 2022
Furthermore, the leaders discussed economic security and defence cooperation and vowed to address illicit technology transfers, build resilient supply chains, and boost critical infrastructure protection. With regards to cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, the two countries reaffirmed their role in promoting free and open Indo-Pacific based on a mutual commitment to all nations’ rights, freedoms, and sovereignty. They further committed to opposing coercive behaviour and countering harmful disinformation.
Additionally, both leaders acknowledged the United States’ (US) contribution to the stability and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific and hailed their alliance with the superpower. They also welcomed the growing cooperation between Japan, Australia, India, and the US through the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue. Meanwhile, the Japanese PM extended support to Australia’s AUKUS military partnership with the US and the United Kingdom to counter China’s growing influence in the Indo-Pacific.
Moving forward, Morrison and Kishida acknowledged the vital role played by their European partners in maintaining regional stability, resilience, and prosperity. New alliances with Southeast Asian nations were also discussed, along with support for Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) centrality and an ASEAN-led regional architecture.
Next, sharing concerns about the situation in the South China Sea, East China Sea, and the Taiwan Strait, the duo underscored the importance of adhering to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Other areas of discussion included human rights abuses against Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities in Xinjiang, the erosion of democratic elements of Hong Kong, the development of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles by North Korea, the grave situation following in Myanmar following the military coup last February.
Regarding trade and economic cooperation, the leaders reaffirmed their commitment to a free, fair, inclusive, and rules-based trade and investment environment. They also expressed hope to successfully implement the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), stressing on its importance in promoting free trade, open and competitive markets, and economic integration.
Lastly, the leaders hailed the contribution of the Japan-Australia Economic Partnership Agreement (JAEPA) in boosting trade and investment. Morrison also confirmed Australia’s participation in the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan. In addition, both sides vowed cooperation under the Japan-Australia Partnership on Decarbonisation through technology to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.