Australia-Japan Conference for the 21st Century
(Outline and Evaluation)
May 2001
On Sunday 29 and Monday 30 April, the Australia-Japan Conference for the 21st Century was held in Sydney, Australia. At the Conference, experts in various fields from Japan and Australia exchanged views on the future of Japan-Australia relations in the 21st century. The objective of the Conference was for the governments of Japan and Australia, business, media and academic circles, and other groups to seek out means to enhance cooperation in political, security, economic, cultural and social areas. The Conference was jointly chaired by Chairman Jerry Ellis of the Australia-Japan Foundation and Chairman Minoru Murofushi of Itochu Corporation. The following is an outline and evaluation of the Conference. (Refer to Annex 1 for the list of attendants from Japan and Australia.)
1. Outline
(1) Prime Minister John Howard of Australia delivered a speech at a working lunch hosted by Chairman Ellis prior to the start of the Conference. In his speech, Prime Minister Howard affirmed the need to create further opportunities for close cooperation in wide-ranging areas of politics, security, economics, culture and society, in addition to traditionally close bilateral relations. Ambassador to Australia Atsushi Hatakenaka subsequently read a message on behalf of Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi.
(2) Major Points of Discussion
i. Strategic and Political Relations
Both countries share common strategic interests, such as US regional engagement and integration of the People's Republic of China as a constructive partner in the region. Based on these common interests, Japan and Australia should enhance inter-governmental dialogue and implement second-track dialogue on regional issues, including the US role in the region, sub-regional issues, such as the situation in East Timor and on the Korean Peninsula, and issues transcending national borders, such as transnational crime and food security.
Furthermore, both countries should promote collaborative expansion for crisis management capacity building, for example, training for peacekeeping operations, new transnational security issues, and regional management of economic assistance to Southeast Asia and the Southwest Pacific, and step up cooperation to reactivate regional and global multilateral processes.
ii. Trade and Economic Relations
Economic relations between Japan and Australia, characterized by the mutually complimentary nature of manufactured products and natural resources, must move toward new complementary relations. Partnerships should be promoted in the areas of capital markets, energy, biotechnology, information technology (IT), healthcare, nursing care for the elderly, competitive policy, science, and research and development.
It was suggested that a Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) should be concluded between the two countries. Opinion also emerged that the possibility of a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (FTA) that includes the agricultural sector should be pursued, and that Japan and Australia should prudently assess what they are capable of in this regard.
Discussions were also held regarding the early launch of the next round of the World Trade Organization (WTO) talks, the promotion of a more active Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), the concept of an Asian Monetary Fund to ensure financial and currency stability, and the development of digital infrastructure.
iii. Cultural, Social and Technological Relations
The promotion of mutual understanding between Japan and Australia at all levels provides the foundation of the close partnership shared by the two countries. It is imperative that Japan and Australia continue to develop mutual understanding between the two countries, attaching particular importance to their youth.
More specifically, Japan and Australia must enhance cooperation with respect to educational organizations and organizations promoting cultural exchange, encouraging exchange between artists, dialogue on social issues of common concern, such as the aging population and health, surveys on recent trends in tourism, the construction of a life science network in local communities, and the utilization of the undersea cable linking Japan and Australia.
(3) At the dinner hosted by Minister for Trade Mark Vaile of Australia on the evening of 29 April, a report was released on surveys conducted by private research organizations, respectively commissioned by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, regarding the formation of closer economic relations between Japan and Australia. Furthermore, Trade Minister Vaile affirmed his intention to visit Japan at the beginning of June as follow-up to the report from the Australian side.
(4) In response to issues raised at the Conference, Chairman Ellis and Chairman Murofushi issued a joint statement entitled, "The Sydney Declaration For a Constructive Japan-Australia Partnership."
2. Evaluation
(1) The Conference was an epoch-making event in that it provided an opportunity for experts from business, academic, political, and other circles in Japan and Australia to gather and seek out measures to enhance bilateral relations.
(2) This Conference was significant in that detailed discussion took place in response to changes in international politics and the economic environment regarding Japan-Australia cooperation in the areas of politics, security, and economics, as well as methods for promoting mutual understanding between the two countries, which forms the foundation of such cooperation. It was also meaningful in that it provided input to government, business, research institutions, and other organizations toward the strengthening of future Japan-Australia relations.
(3) The Conference was also significant in the sense that among its participants there were those that had not necessarily had prior experience in Japan-Australia relations, thereby expanding the range of human exchange between the two countries.
(4) An enthusiastic approach was displayed by the Australian side at the Conference, as evidenced by the speech delivered by Prime Minister Howard and the dinner hosted by Trade Minister Vaile and Premier John Carr of New South Wales. (Minister for Foreign Affairs Alexander Downer was on a foreign visit and therefore unable to attend.)
(5) Furthermore, Prime Minister Koizumi's message and the telephone conversation he had with Prime Minister Howard immediately prior to the Conference were extremely significant in terms of conveying Japan's interest in the Conference. These efforts were welcomed by the Australian side.
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