Japan and Australia: Strengthening Partnership in the Indo-Pacific Era

Abstract

After many decades of a relationship defined primarily by commercial ties, Japan and Australia now have a robust security and defence partnership. While making their bilateral relations more all-rounded in the Indo-Pacific era, they also aim to promote a regional order where the United States remains engaged and like-minded nations come together to manage the ever-volatile strategic environment in the wake of China’s rise and US–China strategic rivalry. These tasks are not easy due to strategic complexities; how the two key Indo-Pacific nations respond to each other and to their partners in managing the China challenge while ensuring US commitment to the region will be of deep interest to policymakers and analysts alike.