AUSTRALIA-JAPANESE RELATIONS By Carlo

Australia Prime Minister: Julia GillardForeign Minister: Stephen Smith

Japan Prime Minister: Naoto KanForeign Minister: Katsuya Okada

History of the Relationship  Since colonization, Japanese migrants have moved to Australia, Most of them merchants.  During WWII Japan were part if the Axis powers, alongside with Nazi Germany.  The bombing of Darwin and midget submarines attacking naval vessels in Sydney Harbor provoked fear of invasion and much racism.

Post War  Both countries developed a mutual relationship with the Basic Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation,1796.  This relationship based on trade links has lead to political and economical development between the two countries.

Australian-Japan joint declaration on security cooperation (JDSC)- March 2007 Security cooperation in: - Law Enforcement - Border Security - Counter Terrorism - Counter proliferation of WOMD - Maritime and aviation security - Humanitarian relief operations

What do we get out of the Relationship?  Passenger Cars - $5.546bn  Refined Petroleum - $1.384bn  Iron & steel tubes and pipes -$570m

What do we give Japan?  Coal - $15.8bn  Iron Ore - $5.049bn  Beef - $1.831bn

Current Events: Whaling  During his election campaign in 2007 Kevin Rudd Threatened the Japanese that he would take legal action if they continued whaling.  The Japanese have continued, claiming that it is for scientific purposes.  The Japanese hunt Minke whale in the southern ocean of which parts make contact with Australia.  In July Kevin Rudd took the issue to the International Court of Justice  The case has not yet been resolved and has been put aside due to the Rudd’s leadership spill and the current federal election.