Australia-Japan treaty could ‘ease US military burden’ in Indo-Pacific amid China’s rise
- The Reciprocal Access Agreement is the first of its kind Japan has struck with another nation since it signed the Status of Forces Agreement with the US over 60 years ago
- Observers say it could also set a ‘template’ for countries such as Britain to establish a presence in the region, and also help to keep the US engaged in the region
A landmark treaty signed between Australia and Japan on Thursday could pave the way for other Western powers to establish an active presence around Asia and the Pacific, analysts say, while increased defence activities between the two nations could lighten the military burden that Washington has been carrying in the region.
The two nations deepened their bilateral relationship after Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and his Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida signed the long-awaited Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) during a virtual summit which outlined the standing arrangements for militaries of both countries to conduct joint exercises and disaster relief operations.
Negotiations started in 2014, and the deal was agreed in principle in November 2020.
The signed pact still needs to be ratified by both countries, but it is the first of its kind that Japan has struck with another nation since it signed the Status of Forces Agreement with the US more than 60 years ago.
Aside from the RAA and agreement to work together on security matters, the two leaders also agreed to strengthen economic security between their nations.