6 Oceania

(1) Australia

A Brief Summary and Overview

In the Foreign Policy White Paper issued by the Australian Government in November 2017, it was announced that as the guidelines for foreign policy of the next 10 years, Australia will, among others, promote an open, inclusive and prosperous Indo-Pacific region, oppose protectionism, promote and protect international rules, while also strengthening cooperation with partners including Japan. This foreign policy basically has continued to be upheld even after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (Labor Party) replaced Prime Minister Scott Morrison (Coalition) in May 2022.

With the region facing a variety of issues, the “Special Strategic Partnership” between Japan and Australia, which share fundamental values and strategic interests, is more important than ever. The two countries' strategic visions toward maintaining and strengthening a free and open international order based on the rule of law in the Indo-Pacific region are aligned in wide-ranging areas. With the Prime Ministers' annual mutual visits and close coordination between the Foreign Ministers serving as the basis, the two countries have been further deepening multi-layered cooperation and collaboration in all areas toward stability and prosperity of the international community. Furthermore, multilateral coordination and partnerships such as the Japan-U.S.-Australia, and Japan-U.S.-Australia-India relations are being steadily strengthened.

The two countries are exercising leadership in promoting free trade, including the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Agreement. Australia is the fifth largest trading partner for Japan, and Japan is the second largest trading partner for Australia. The two countries are further developing mutually complementary economic relations based on the Japan-Australia Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), which marks the eighth anniversary of its effectuation, the CPTPP that entered into force at the end of 2018, and the RCEP Agreement that entered into force in January 2022.

At the Japan-Australia Leaders Video Teleconference Meeting in January, Prime Minister Kishida and Prime Minister Morrison welcomed the signing of the Japan-Australia Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA), and Prime Minister Kishida showed his recognition that security and defense cooperation between Japan and Australia would continue to be a model case for Japan to strengthen security and defense cooperation with other countries. The two leaders also exchanged views on security and defense cooperation, regional affairs, cooperation with allies and like-minded countries, disarmament and non-proliferation, and the economy, and concurred to further strengthen the Japan-Australia relationship and embody their commitment toward the realization of a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP).” At the Japan-Australia Leaders Meeting in May, Prime Minister Kishida and newly inaugurated Prime Minister Albanese, affirmed that Japan and Australia will continue to work closely together on the basis of three pillars: (1) deepening cooperation in the areas of security and defense and economy; (2) further coordination with allies and like-minded countries, including cooperation between Japan, Australia, India and the U.S., to contribute to peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region; and (3) cooperation on global issues such as climate change. Following the passing of former Prime Minister Abe, a Japan-Australia Summit Telephone Meeting was held in July, and at the state funeral in September, a delegation consisting of incumbent Prime Minister Albanese and three former Prime Ministers (namely, former Prime Ministers John Howard, Tony Abbot, and Malcolm Turnbull) visited Japan to show respect for former Prime Minister Abe and Japan, and Prime Minister Albanese met with Prime Minister Kishida. In October, Prime Minister Kishida visited Perth, Australia, and held a Japan-Australia Leaders' Meeting with Prime Minister Albanese. The two leaders shared the view that given the deepening of cooperation, particularly in the areas of security and defense cooperation, FOIP, and resources and energy, the Special Strategic Partnership between Japan and Australia had been elevated to a new level.

Foreign Minister Hayashi held an in-person Japan-Australia Foreign Ministers' Meeting with Foreign Minister Marise Payne in February and then via a telephone call in April, and the two Ministers confirmed the further strengthening of Japan-Australia relations. In May, Foreign Minister Hayashi had an informal talk with new Foreign Minister Penny Wong, and Foreign Minister Hayashi further mentioned that he hoped to continue to work closely for the realization of FOIP, as well as to further strengthen the Special Strategic Partnership between Japan and Australia. In July, Foreign Minister Hayashi and Foreign Minister Wong held a Japan-Australia Foreign Ministers' Meeting, and Foreign Minister Hayashi expressed his willingness to work closely as the security environment in the Indo-Pacific region becomes more challenging. Furthermore, in December, at the Tenth Japan-Australia 2+2 Foreign and Defence Ministerial Consultations (“2+2”), a Japan-Australia Foreign Ministers' Meeting was held with Foreign Minister Wong, and Foreign Minister Hayashi stated that Japan and Australia have become central pillars of coordination among like-minded countries in the Indo-Pacific region, and that the Special Strategic Partnership between Japan and Australia has been elevated to a new dimension.

Through such frequent high-level dialogues, Japan and Australia have communicated and contributed as the core of cooperation among like-minded countries in various fields as described below.

B Cooperation in the Security Field

To ensure peace and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific region, Japan and Australia have continued to steadily strengthen and expand cooperation in the field of security.

In January, at the Japan-Australia Leaders Video Teleconference Meeting, Japan and Australia signed the Japan-Australia Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA). This Agreement establishes procedures between Japan and Australia for the cooperative activities conducted by the defense force of one country while visiting the other country, and defines the status of the visiting force. It also facilitates the implementation of cooperative activities between the defence forces of both countries, further promotes security and defense cooperation between the two countries, and enables both Japan and Australia to further contribute to the peace and stability of the Indo-Pacific region. In October, at the Japan-Australia Leaders' Meeting, the two leaders signed the Japan-Australia Joint Declaration on Security Cooperation. The Declaration not only includes enhancing interoperability through joint exercises, defense equipment and technology cooperation, and cooperation in new areas such as cyberspace, and outer space, but it also includes content that reflects the unparalleled closeness of the Japan-Australia relationship, with the two sides aligning their strategic assessments and consulting on contingencies that may affect regional security interests. In December, the Tenth Japan-Australia 2+2 Foreign and Defence Ministerial Consultations (“2+2”) were held, shortly after the Leaders' Meeting in October, and the four Ministers followed up on the outcomes of the Leaders' Meeting. The four Ministers discussed regional and global issues based on the common understanding among the leaders and confirmed that the strategic assessment of both sides is very close, and decided on bilateral cooperation that should be implemented as soon as possible based on the Japan-Australia Joint Declaration on Security Cooperation. In terms of diplomacy, the four Ministers confirmed that they would promote cooperation in the Pacific Island countries and cooperation in economic security and in the cyber and space fields, and, in terms of defense, that they would promote various forms of cooperation, including building stronger interoperability.

C Economic Relations

As shown by Japan and Australia spearheading the CPTPP, which entered into force in December 2018, the two countries are working closely and demonstrating leadership in promoting the regional free trade order, including the RCEP Agreement. Mainly industrial products such as automobiles are being exported from Japan to Australia, while mainly energy resources such as coal and natural gas, and agricultural products such as beef are being imported into Japan from Australia, in mutually complementary economic relations that have been developed steadily over the years. In recent years new cooperation efforts have been progressing, such as hydrogen-related efforts.

D Cultural and People-to-People Exchanges

There exists a foundation for affinity toward Japan in Australia cultivated over many years, as shown by the fact that approximately 415,000 people in Australia learn the Japanese language (the fourth largest group in the world), and that there are over 100 sister city relations. Until travel restrictions were enforced due to the spread of COVID-19, a variety of initiatives had been implemented in order to strengthen the foundation of Japan-Australia relations, including the promotion of mutual understanding through JENESYS, an exchange program to promote understanding of Japan that includes young people, and the “New Colombo Plan” as well as the Young Political Leaders Exchange. Both Japan and Australia will continue to work on the appropriate and steady operation of the Japan-Australia Working Holiday Program.

E Cooperation in the International Community

In order to make an active contribution to peace and stability in the international community, the two countries have been strengthening cooperation in wide-ranging areas. In particular, cooperation has been deepened in addressing various issues facing the Indo-Pacific region such as maritime security and nuclear and missile development by North Korea. Australia deployed the Royal Australian Navy frigate HMAS PARRAMATTA in late June and the frigate HMAS ARUNTA in late October to undertake surveillance operations in the adjacent ocean areas around Japan. By doing so, for the seventh and eighth times since 2018, Australia has engaged in surveillance operations against illicit maritime activities, including ship-to-ship transfers with North Korean flagged vessels, which are prohibited by UN Security Council resolutions. Furthermore, from late February to late March, Australia engaged in surveillance operations for the 10th time since 2018 by aircraft, using Kadena Air Base.

(2) New Zealand

A Brief Summary and Overview

Japan and New Zealand share fundamental values, such as democracy and a market economy. The two countries have been maintaining good relations over the years. In recent years, under the “Strategic Cooperative Partnership,” the two countries have been strengthening bilateral cooperation in areas including the economy, security, defense cooperation and people-to-people exchanges, as well as cooperative relations on issues facing the region and the international community.

B High-Level Consultations

Amidst the complicated regional situation, Japan has been closely exchanging views with New Zealand, which is located in the Asia-Pacific region and which shares fundamental values with Japan. 2022 marked the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and New Zealand, and in April, Prime Minister Kishida held a Japan-New Zealand Summit Meeting with Prime Minister Jacinda Arden, who visited Japan as one of her first destinations after resuming overseas visits. The two leaders discussed bilateral relations and cooperation in the international arena, and concurred to further strengthen the “Strategic Cooperative Partnership” between Japan and New Zealand to realize FOIP. In September, at the UN General Assembly, informal talks were held between the two leaders, and they affirmed that they will continue coordination between the two countries on the regional situations, the CPTPP, and others.

C Economic Relations

The two countries enjoy complementary economic relations and have closely cooperated on the steady implementation of the CPTPP and RCEP Agreement, and the promotion of free trade structures including the RCEP Agreement, WTO reforms, and the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF). In July, economic consultations were held amongst high-level officials to share information on the economic situation in both countries, and a meaningful exchange of views took place on a wide range of areas, including bilateral trade and investment relations, cooperation in the environmental and renewable energy fields, and close cooperation in international economic frameworks, including the CPTPP. At the Japan-New Zealand Summit Meeting that was held in April, the two leaders affirmed to continue cooperation in the economic field, including on hydrogen-related cooperation toward decarbonization as well as space cooperation.

D Cultural and People-to-People Exchanges

People-to-people exchanges between Japan and New Zealand, such as for youths, take place through exchange programs like JENESYS, and a cumulative total of 1,100 people had participated by 2022. By 2022, more than 3,300 people have also participated in the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program, which invites foreign youth (on average approximately 100 people annually), and active exchanges are continuing. Additionally, the 44 sister city relations that have been cultivated between Japan and New Zealand over many years are fertile ground for people-to-people exchanges, and exchanges between sister cities with the aim of promoting mutual understanding among youth have resumed following the easing of border measures in both countries.

E Cooperation in the International Community

The two countries are cooperating closely for the peace and stability of the international community in the international arena, including the UN. The two countries are playing a proactive role for regional stability and development, for example by cooperating in regional cooperation frameworks such as the East Asia Summit (EAS), the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and the Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM) and by strengthening cooperation in the Pacific Islands region.

(3) Pacific Island Countries²⁸

A Brief Summary and Overview

Pacific Island countries and Japan are bound by the Pacific Ocean, have deep historical ties, and are important partners in such areas as cooperation in the international arena and the supply of fishery and mineral resources. They are becoming increasingly important as a cornerstone of FOIP, as they are located at the heart of the Pacific Ocean. As one of Japan's important policies in diplomacy with Pacific Island countries, Japan has been holding the Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM) once every three years since 1997, and in July 2021 the Ninth Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM9) was held via videoconference. Under the Pacific Bond (KIZUNA) Policy, a policy announced at PALM9 to further strengthen cooperation between Japan and the Pacific Island countries, Japan is working to further strengthen relations with the Pacific Island countries, centered on the five priority areas of (a) COVID-19 Response and Recovery, (b) Sustainable Oceans based on the Rule of Law, (c) Climate Change and Disaster Resilience, (d) Strengthening the Foundation for Sustainable and Resilient Economic Development, and (e) People-to-People Exchanges and Human Resource Development. Furthermore, in response to volcanic eruptions and the tsunami disaster in Tonga in January 2022, Japan promptly provided emergency relief goods via the Japan Disaster Relief (Self-Defense Forces) Unit and extended emergency grant aid, and emergency goods for drought damage were also provided to Kiribati in July and to Tuvalu in October.

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• 28 Pacific Island countries: Palau, Federated States of Micronesia, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Kiribati, Tuvalu, Samoa, Cook Islands, Niue, Tonga, Fiji, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, and Papua New Guinea

B Partners in the Blue Pacific (PBP)

At a meeting of senior officials from like-minded countries (Japan, Australia, New Zealand, the U.S., and the UK) held in Washington D.C., the U.S., on June 23 and 24, participating countries concurred to launch the Partners in the Blue Pacific (PBP) framework for cooperation among like-minded countries that support prosperity, resilience, and security in the Pacific region. The participating countries also confirmed that they would cooperate in a variety of ways, including information sharing, based on the needs of Pacific Island countries. In September, the first Partners in the Blue Pacific Ministerial Meeting was held in New York, the U.S., and in addition to Foreign Minister Hayashi, the Foreign Ministers of Australia, New Zealand, the UK and the U.S. were present, as well as representatives of the Pacific Island countries and regions, including Fiji Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Bainimarama (the Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF)). At the meeting, a joint statement was adopted. The PBP members emphasized that they will promote close dialogue and cooperation with the Pacific Island countries, and the representatives of Pacific Islands region welcomed the PBP's intention for close dialogue and cooperation, and expressed their expectations for concrete cooperation in the future.

C Meetings with Dignitaries

In April, Prime Minister Kishida held a Japan-Tuvalu Summit Meeting with Prime Minister Kausea Natano, who was visiting Japan for the 4th Asia-Pacific Water Summit. Additionally, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs UESUGI Kentaro visited Solomon Islands and paid a courtesy call to Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare and Foreign Minister Jeremiah Manele. Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Uesugi conveyed Prime Minister Kishida's message that Japan is concerned about the security cooperation agreement between China and Solomon Islands.

In May, Foreign Minister Hayashi visited Fiji and Palau, the first visit by a Japanese Foreign Minister in three years, paid courtesy calls to the Prime Minister of Fiji and the President of Palau, held a meeting with PIF Secretary General Henry Puna in Fiji, and a Japan-Palau Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Palau.

In August, Prime Minister Kishida, who was visiting the U.S. to attend the Tenth Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), had a short informal talk with Fiji Prime Minister Bainimarama.

In September, Prime Minister Kishida held a Japan-Palau Summit Meeting and a working lunch with Palau President Surangel Whipps, who was visiting Japan for the first time since assuming the office of President.

Furthermore, on September 27, Prime Minister Kishida held a Japan-Papua New Guinea Summit Meeting with Prime Minister James Marape, who had visited Japan to attend the state funeral for the late Prime Minister ABE Shinzo.

Through these and other meetings, Japan has reiterated that it will continue to provide strong support to the Pacific Island countries under the Pacific Bond (KIZUNA) Policy, has exchanged views on international and regional situations, and has confirmed that it will continue to closely work together with the Pacific Island countries.

D People-to-People Exchanges and Human Resource Development

At PALM9, “People-to-People Exchanges and Human Resource Development” were positioned as one of the five priority areas, and Japan announced that it would actively engage in human exchanges and human resource development for more than 5,500 people at various levels and in various fields from 2021 to 2024. As part of those efforts, Japan promotes people-to-people exchanges among university students through JENESYS. Furthermore, from FY2016 Japan commenced the Pacific Leaders' Educational Assistance for Development of State (Pacific-LEADS) for young government administrators of Pacific Island countries. Currently renamed the SDGs Global Leader Program, the program accepts young government officials and private human resources from Pacific Island countries to universities and graduate schools in Japan.