The Signing of the Japan-Australia Acquisition and Cross-servicing Agreement (ACSA)

May 19, 2010
Japanese

1. On May 19 (Wed), the “Agreement between the Government of Japan and the Government of Australia concerning reciprocal provision of supplies and services between the Self-Defense Forces of Japan (JSDF) and the Australian Defence Force (ADF) (Japan-Australia Acquisition and Cross-servicing Agreement [ACSA]) was signed in Tokyo by Mr. Katsuya Okada, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, and The Hon. John Faulkner, Minister for Defence of Australia.
   
   
2. Given the increasing opportunities for the JSDF and the ADF to cooperate in such fields as the UN Peace Keeping Operations and overseas disaster-relief operations, this Agreement sets forth a framework for the reciprocal provision of supplies and services for such activities as: exercises and training, UN Peace Keeping Operations, humanitarian relief operations, operations to cope with large scale disasters, transportation of nationals and others in overseas exigencies, or other routine activities.
   
   
3. It is expected that the conclusion of ACSA will promote cooperation between the JSDF and ADF with respect to the above-mentioned activities. The ACSA is also expected to actively contribute to international cooperation including efforts led by the United Nations toward international peace.
   
   
4. The Japan-Australia ACSA was signed after a total of two rounds of negotiations which started in March 2010 and reached an agreement substantially in April 2010.  This is the second ACSA for Japan after the Japan-United States ACSA (entered into force in October 1996; revised in September 1999 and July 2004).

Related Information (Japan-Australia Relations)