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 the 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 close coordination between the Prime Ministers and 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, Japan is not just steadily strengthening Japan-Australia bilateral relations, but also multilateral coordination such as Japan-U.S.-Australia and Japan-U.S.-Australia-India relations. In particular, in July, a Japan-Australia-New Zealand-ROK Leaders' Meeting was held, during which the four leaders issued a Joint Statement strongly condemning the ballistic missile launch by North Korea that had taken place immediately prior to the meeting; exchanged views on cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region; and concurred on the importance of deepening cooperation with ASEAN and the Pacific Island countries.

Both Japan and Australia 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, and in building a free and fair economic order based on the rule of law. 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 through the Japan-Australia Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), which marks the ninth anniversary of its effectuation, the CPTPP that entered into force in December 2018, and the RCEP Agreement that entered into force in January 2022.

In their March 2023 telephone call, Prime Minister Albanese gave an explanation about AUKUS²⁹, Prime Minister Kishida stated his consistent support for the initiative, and the two leaders concurred to continue to strengthen coordination with the US, their common ally, and the UK, a like-minded country, toward the realization of a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP).” In May as well, Prime Minister Kishida held informal talks with Prime Minister Albanese, who had visited Japan to participate in the G7 Hiroshima Summit. In September, at the Japan-Australia Leader's Meeting, when the two leaders exchanged views on Japan's handling of the ALPS-treated water, Prime Minister Albanese commented that Japan had been working in a responsible manner and in cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and commended positively on the measures that Japan had taken. In November, at the Japan-Australia Leader's Meeting, the two leaders exchanged views on various issues in the Indo-Pacific region, as well as on pressing international issues, including the situation surrounding Israel and Palestine, and also affirmed that they support sustainable and resilient development of the Pacific Island countries.

In July, Foreign Minister Hayashi held a Foreign Ministers' Meeting with Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong, where the two ministers confirmed that Japan and Australia share a common strategic view and direction to peace and stability in the region, and concurred to work closely together in the framework of Japan-Australia and Japan-Australia-U.S. and steadily implement concrete cooperation. At the September Foreign Ministers' Meeting immediately after her appointment as Foreign Minister, Foreign Minister Kamikawa stated that she would look forward to working closely with Minister Wong to further deepen the “Special Strategic Partnership” between Japan and Australia, as well as realize FOIP. The foreign ministers of Japan and Australia have also held close and timely talks on various issues facing the international community. In an October telephone call, the two ministers discussed the situation in the Middle East, and in November, during informal talks with Minister for Foreign Affairs Wong, who was stopping by Japan after a visit to China, the two ministers exchanged views on various issues in the Indo-Pacific region in light of Prime Minister Albanese's visit to China, and concurred that Japan and Australia will continue to work closely together.

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.

---

• 29 A framework for security cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region that was launched in September 2021 by Australia, the UK, and the U.S.

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 particular, the Japan-Australia Reciprocal Access Agreement entered into force in August. This is the first reciprocal access agreement that Japan has concluded. It is expected that the entry into force of the Agreement will facilitate the conduct of cooperative activities between the defense forces of the two countries, further promote bilateral security and defense cooperation, and enable Japan and Australia to further contribute to the peace and stability of the Indo-Pacific region. At the Japan-Australia Leader's Meeting in September, the two leaders welcomed progress in defense cooperation, including the joint exercises involving F-35 fighter jets visiting each country under the Agreement, and also concurred on strengthening concrete cooperation, guided by the new Japan-Australia Joint Declaration on Security Cooperation³⁰ signed in 2022.

---

• 30 Document signed at the October 2022 Japan-Australia Leaders' Meeting outlining the direction of Japan-Australia security and defense cooperation for the next 10 years.

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, as well as in building a free and fair economic order based on the rule of law. At the Japan-Australia Leader's Meeting in November, the two leaders had candid discussions on the CPTPP from a strategic perspective and confirmed that they will continue to closely work together.

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 particular, in recent years new cooperation efforts have been progressing, such as hydrogen-related efforts. At the Japan-Australia Leader's Meeting in September, the two leaders confirmed that both countries would continue to engage in close dialogues in the fields of resources and energy and concurred to work together on decarbonization in Asia through the “Asia Zero Emissions Community (AZEC)” initiative and cooperation in the hydrogen and ammonia sectors.

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. A variety of initiatives are 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 Anzac in late May and the frigate HMAS Toowoomba from late October to mid-November to undertake surveillance operations in the adjacent ocean areas around Japan. By doing so, for the ninth and 10th 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 early February to early March and from late August to mid-September, Australia engaged in surveillance operations for the 11th and 12th times since 2018 by aircraft, using Kadena Air Base.

(2) New Zealand

A Brief Summary

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. On November 24, following the results of the general election that was held on October 14, a three-party coalition government was formed between New Zealand's National Party (1st party), ACT New Zealand and New Zealand First.

B High-Level Consultations

Amidst the complicated regional situation, Japan has been closely exchanging views at the leaders' and foreign ministers' levels with New Zealand, which is located in the Asia-Pacific region and shares fundamental values with Japan. In February, Foreign Minister Hayashi held a meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs Nanaia Mahuta and released the “Joint Declaration between the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of New Zealand on Cooperation in the Pacific Islands Region.” Under the Joint Declaration, the two ministers concurred to further promote cooperation toward the shared goals of the resilience and unity of the Pacific Island countries, in line with the priorities of the region, such as maritime security, climate change, infrastructure, and supporting “The 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent” (refer to (3) A below) of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF). Furthermore, in July, at the Japan-New Zealand Summit Meeting, two leaders concurred on the importance of maintaining and strengthening a free and open international order based on the rule of law, confirmed that Japan and New Zealand will work together toward realization of FOIP, and concurred on the importance of coordination among like-minded countries in the Pacific Island countries. In December, Foreign Minister Kamikawa held a telephone call with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters, during which the two ministers confirmed that they will closely work together for stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region, including for Pacific Island countries, and concurred to cooperate toward the 10th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM10) to be held in 2024.

C Economic Relations

The two countries enjoy complementary economic relations and have closely cooperated on the steady implementation of the CPTPP and RCEP Agreement; on the promotion of free trade structures including WTO reforms, and the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF); and on building a free and fair economic order based on the rule of law. In February at the Japan-New Zealand Foreign Ministers' Meeting, the two ministers welcomed that concrete bilateral cooperation is making progress in fields such as hydrogen and ammonia.

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 more than 1,100 people had participated by 2023. By 2023, more than 3,400 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, exchanges between the 44 sister cities with the aim of promoting mutual understanding among youth are making progress.

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 in 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 Countries³¹

A Brief Summary and Overview

The Pacific Island countries and Japan are bound by the Pacific Ocean, have deep historical ties, and are important partners in such areas of cooperation in the international arena and the supply of fisheries and mineral resources. They are becoming increasingly important as a cornerstone of FOIP, as they are located at the heart of the Pacific Ocean and are also positioned as a key region in the New Plan for FOIP that was released in March. As one of Japan's important policies in diplomacy with Pacific Island countries, Japan has been hosting the Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM) once every three years since 1997. In July 2021, at the Ninth Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM9) that was held via video conference, the Pacific Bond (KIZUNA) Policy was announced to further strengthen cooperation between Japan and the Pacific Island countries, and 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. In the lead up to PALM10, which is scheduled to be held in 2024, Japan will continue making further efforts to resolve issues facing Pacific Island countries.

Furthermore, Japan is promoting cooperation with the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), a regional cooperation framework composed of the Pacific Island countries and regions. At its Leaders Meeting in 2022, the PIF announced the “The 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent,” which outlines the ideal political, economic, and other conditions and strategic measures for Pacific Island countries and regions in 2050. Japan has expressed strong support for the Strategy. Japan will continue to support regional unity, respect the agendas (action plans) of the Pacific Island countries themselves, and continue to cooperate in a way that utilizes Japan's strengths.

---

• 31 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)

PBP was established as a cooperative framework between like-minded countries to support the prosperity, resilience, and security of the Pacific region, and a June 2022 meeting of senior officials from like-minded countries (Japan, the U.S., Australia, New Zealand, and the UK) concurred to launch the PBP, with the first PBP Ministerial Meeting then being held in New York, the U.S. in September 2022. The second PBP Ministerial Meeting was held in September 2023, with Canada, Germany, and the ROK joining as like-minded countries, and it was confirmed that the PBP will continue to advance dialogue with Pacific Island countries and promote concrete cooperation.

C Meetings with Dignitaries

2023 saw active visits by dignitaries between Japan and Pacific Island countries, marking a milestone in diplomacy with the Pacific Island countries.

In January, State Minister for Foreign Affairs TAKEI Shunsuke visited Vanuatu and paid courtesy calls to President Nikenike Vurobaravu and Prime Minister Alatoi Ishmael Kalsakau. The Embassy of Japan in Kiribati was opened in January, enhancing the system for maintaining and strengthening the good bilateral relationship and for more effectively gathering a variety of information and providing various types of support in emergency situations.

In February, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mark Stephen Brown of the Cook Islands; Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Kitlang Kabua of the Marshall Islands; and Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat Henry Puna visited Japan. Prime Minister Kishida met with the delegation, touching on the long-standing cooperative relationship between Japan and the PIF, stated that he hopes to further deepen the kizuna (bonds) with Pacific Island countries and regions under the FOIP vision, and the leaders also shared the view on the importance of intensive dialogue regarding the ALPS-treated water. Foreign Minister Hayashi met with the delegation, and a Japan-Cook Islands Summit Meeting and Japan-Marshall Islands Foreign Ministers' Meeting were also held. Also in February, Prime Minister Kishida held a Summit Meeting and working dinner with the Federated States of Micronesia President David W. Panuelo, who was visiting Japan as a guest on an official visit. During the meeting, President Panuelo stated that regarding the ALPS-treated water the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) now has deep trust in Japan's intentions and Japan's technological capabilities in not harming our shared oceanic assets and resources. Following the summit meeting, a signing ceremony of the Exchange of Notes on the provision of medical equipment (under the Grant Assistance for Economic and Social Development Program) was held in the presence of the two leaders, and the two leaders issued a Joint Statement between Japan and FSM.

In March, Foreign Minister Hayashi visited Solomon Islands and the Cook Islands, where he paid courtesy calls to Prime Minister Manasseh Damukana Sogavare of Solomon Islands and to Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Brown of the Cook Islands. Foreign Minister Hayashi met with Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade Jeremiah Manele of Solomon Islands, and at each meeting, the two foreign ministers respectively concurred to further strengthen bilateral relations between their two countries and cooperation with the Pacific Islands region, and Foreign Minister Hayashi once again explained Japan's position on the ALPS-treated water.

In April, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Takei visited Vanuatu and Fiji. In Vanuatu, he paid a courtesy call to Prime Minister Alatoi Ishmael Kalsakau and to Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and External Trade Napat; and in Fiji he paid a courtesy call to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for External Trade, Cooperatives, and SMEs Kamikamica, and held a meeting with Secretary General Puna of the PIF Secretariat. In May, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Takei also visited Fiji and Tuvalu. In Fiji, he inspected patrol boats that had been provided through Japan's grant aid, and in Tuvalu, he paid courtesy calls to Prime Minister Natano and to Minister of Justice, Communication and Foreign Affairs Simon Kofe, and also inspected the northern tip of Funafuti Island, which is known as a place symbolizing the impacts of climate change. Also in May, Prime Minister Kishida met with Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Brown of the Cook Islands, who was visiting Japan to attend the Outreach Meeting of the G7 Hiroshima Summit. The two leaders confirmed that both countries would cooperate closely for the PALM10 in 2024, given that the Cook Islands is the PIF chair country .

In June, Prime Minister Kishida held a Summit Meeting with President Surangel S. Whipps of Palau, meeting with him for the first time since September 2022, and the two leaders discussed further strengthening bilateral relations. President Whipps, touching on his visit to the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant on the previous day, stated that Palau believes in science regarding the ALPS-treated water, and that this visit strengthened confidence in the efforts Japan has made to ensure people's health and safety under the leadership of Prime Minister Kishida. Also in June, there was a signing and exchange of notes for the “Economic and Social Development Plan” grant aid for Kiribati and Nauru in the “East Micronesia Cable Project” (a collaborative project between Japan, the U.S., and Australia to strengthen the communication infrastructure of the three island nations).

In July, Ambassador on Special Mission FURUYA Keiji (Member of the House of Representatives) visited the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) and attended the inauguration ceremony of President Wesley W. Simina. Prior to the ceremony, Ambassador Furuya paid a courtesy call to the President and stated Japan's intention to further strengthen Japan-FSM relations and to continue cooperating for the social and economic development of FSM by leveraging Japan's advantages.

In September, Prime Minister Kishida, who was visiting Indonesia to attend the ASEAN-related Summit Meetings and prior to the East Asia Summit (EAS), held an informal talk with Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Brown of the Cook Islands, which was the third meeting that year. Prime Minister Brown stated that he supports Japan's efforts on ALPS-treated water.

In October, State Minister for Foreign Affairs HORII Iwao visited Papua New Guinea to attend the opening ceremony of the Nadzab Tomodachi International Airport, which was built with assistance from Japan, and also paid a courtesy call to Prime Minister James Marape of Papua New Guinea. During the courtesy call, the Prime Minister Marape stated that he supports Japan's efforts to ensure the safety of the discharge of the ALPS-treated water.

In November, the first Dialogue Partners Meeting of the PIF in about four years was held on Rarotonga in the Cook Islands. State Minister for Foreign Affairs Horii (Special Envoy of the Prime Minister of Japan) attended and participated as a panelist in a thematic dialogue on Oceans and Environment, Climate Change and Disasters. He focused on climate change, which Pacific Island countries position as the greatest threat among Japan's strong commitments to the Pacific Islands region, and also gave a courteous explanation on the safety of discharging ALPS-treated water into the sea. He also took the opportunity of the Dialogue to meet with Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Brown of the Cook Islands, Premier Dalton Tagelagi of Niue, Prime Minister Hu'akavameiliku of Tonga, and Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa of Samoa.

In December, Prime Minister Kishida met with President Kabua of the Marshall Islands, who was visiting Japan, and Foreign Minister Kamikawa held a Foreign Ministers' Meeting with Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs Lorin S. Robert of the Federated States of Micronesia.

In January 2024, Foreign Minister Kamikawa held a Foreign Ministers' Meeting with Minister of State Gustav Aitaro of Palau.

In February 2024, Foreign Minister Kamikawa visited Samoa and Fiji. Her visit to Samoa was the first visit by a Japanese Foreign Minister, and there she met with Head of State Tuimaleali'ifano Va'aletoa Sualauvi II; Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Foreign Affairs Fiame Naomi Mata'afa; and Minister of Women, Community and Social Development Mulipola Anarosa Ale Molio'o. There was also a signing and exchange of notes for grant assistance for the Improvement of Facilities at the Faculty of Health Science, National University of Samoa, and Foreign Minister Kamikawa visited the Pacific Climate Change Center (PCCC). During the meeting with Prime Minister Fiame, the strength of the trust between the two countries was confirmed, supported by a history of people-to-people exchanges even amidst the drastically changing circumstances surrounding the region. In Fiji, Foreign Minister Kamikawa attended the 5th Ministerial Interim Meeting of the Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM) as co-chair and conducted follow-up discussions on PALM9 and discussions toward PALM10, which is scheduled to be held in July 2024. She also took the opportunity of her visit to hold individual meetings with 10 Pacific Island countries and to discuss regional situations in addition to bilateral relations.

Through these and other meetings, Japan has reiterated that it will provide strong support to the Pacific Island countries, 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 Cultural and People-to-People Exchanges

At PALM9, “People-to-People Exchanges and Human Resource Development” were positioned as one of the five priority areas, and Japan announced that over the next three years it would actively engage in human exchanges and human resource development for more than 5,500 people at various levels and in various fields. As part of those efforts, Japan has been implementing 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, through a program called the SDGs Global Leader Course, Japan is accepting young government officials and private human resources from Pacific Island countries to universities and graduate schools in Japan.

In preparation for PALM10 in July 2024, Japan will continue working to further revitalize cultural and people-to-people exchanges.