Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his Australian counterpart Mr. John Howard have signed a joint declaration to expand security cooperation between Japan and Australia. It has been unheard of up to now for Japan to issue a joint declaration on security matters with a country other than the United States. While short of a treaty, the declaration represents an attempt by the two countries to form comprehensive strategic relations.
Behind the joint declaration must be Mr. Abe's wish to strengthen ties among Japan, the U.S., Australia and India to keep China in check. Mr. Howard said China should not view the declaration as a sign of hostility toward it. Although China is trying to increase its influence through its robust economic growth and rapid defense buildup, both Japan and Australia should take utmost care so that their expanded security cooperation does not cause friction with China.
Apart from strategic considerations, domestic factors may be at work. Both Mr. Abe and Mr. Howard may have wanted to counter a view in Japan and Australia that their administrations are blindly following the U.S.'s foreign policy line.