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| China-Japan-Koreas |
| Japan, Australia Talk Closer Military Ties and Submarines |
| 2014-06-12 |
| [AnNahar] Japan and Australia said Wednesday they have stepped up their defense ties and moved toward a possible future submarine deal, as a rising China stirs tension in the Asia-Pacific region. Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida and Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera met with in Tokyo with Julie Bishop and David Johnston, their respective opposite numbers, for the fifth round of so-called "2+2" talks. The Japanese said the two sides reached a broad agreement on a legal framework to allow the two nations to conduct joint research and trade in defense equipment. "We reached a conclusion on negotiations for an agreement on cooperation in the field of defense equipment and technology," Onodera said in a joint presser. He said details of the pact still needed to be ironed out. But Bishop stressed that Japan and Australia are "natural partners" who are developing their "strong relationship" into a "special relationship." Johnston said Australia was particularly interested in Japanese diesel-electric submarines, although he added that Canberra has also approached other partner nations to study their submarine technologies. Following an Australian request, Johnston will be given an extensive look at Japanese submarines during his stay. Australia needs to replace its fleet of stealth subs over the coming years at a reported cost of up to U.S.$37 billion. The potential deal between the two nations could boost Japan's defense industry, while also further cementing relations both economically and militarily. Onodera also said the two nations are looking to boost the interoperability of their troops through more joint drills, humanitarian assistance programs, disaster relief and projects to ensure maritime security. The ministers agreed on joint basic research for marine hydrodynamics to be applied for construction of future military vessels and submarines. The four ministers followed up on a free trade pact and a security deal reached in April between Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe, who will visit Australia next month, Bishop said. Abe has argued that Japan must play a bigger role on the global stage and has pushed to loosen restrictions on when its well-equipped armed forces can act. He has also relaxed a self-imposed ban on weapons exports, paving the way for the possible deal with Australia. The ministers voiced their rejection of "the use of force or coercion to unilaterally alter the status quo in the East China Sea and the South China Sea" in an apparent reference to China's increasingly aggressive territorial claims. Beijing has intensified its claims over the South China Sea, and has butted heads with Hanoi and Manila. Japan's ties with China have remained sour, due mainly to a territorial dispute in the East China Sea. Worries about China have encouraged a relationship-building drive across Asia, analysts say, with Australia and Japan a notable pairing. |
| Posted by:trailing wife |
| #2 More results of Smart Diplomacy. Our allies got the message and are making their own plans. |
| Posted by: AlanC 2014-06-12 08:50 |
| #1 This might be a bigger story than the coming fall of Baghdad. |
| Posted by: Shipman 2014-06-12 05:19 |