【Part 1】In Nov 2014, JDF Kirisame of JMSDF joined a centenary event held at Albany, Western Australia. The event commemorated the departure of first convoy of Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) ship from Albany leaving for battlefields during WWI. In 1914, Japan, on the Allied side at the time, based on Anglo-Japanese Alliance, sent a battlecruiser Ibuki to provide protection to the convoy of ANZAC troopships and they reached Egypt safely. This became a symbolic event of Japan & Australia friendship.
【Part 2】In 2014, JS KIRISAME of JMSDF joined a memorial service and exchanges with locals, and reaffirmed strides and bonds of Japan and Australia. In the memorial service speech, PM Tony Abott at the time referred to Japan as “first an ally, then a foe, now the very best of friends”. JS KIRISAME participated in a multilateral exercise with HMAS Arunta at the occasion of 2014 memorial service, and reunited at 2020 Japan, Australia and the U.S. trilateral exercise in SCS. Despite the pandemic, Australia and Japan made commitment together to realize Free And Open Indo Pacific as strategic partners.
【Part 3】At 9th Japan-Australia 2+2 on Jun 9, Ministers concurred to increase the complexity and sophistication of exercises and ops between JSDF and ADF for a secure and stable region. On 25th, the Air Chiefs signed the Arrangement between Japan and Australia concerning Air-to-Air Refueling. Japan and Australia increased complexity and sophistication of exercises and operations through engagements including Bushido Guardian 19 and Cope North 21. We will continue improving our interoperability and contributing to upholding and reinforcing Free and Open Indo-Pacific. JMOD and JSDF enjoy defence exchanges with Australia at various levels. In March, Gen Izutsu, JASDF Chief of Staff joined centenary of Australian Air Force event hosted by Ambassador Adams and she said “We look forward to deepening our relationship over the next 100 years.”
【Part 4】At Japan-Australia 2+2 (June), Ministers reinforced their ambition to increase complexity and sophistication of exercises and ops and reiterated to deepen engagement including personnel exchanges. We’ll deepen defence cooperation to uphold and reinforce Free and Open Indo-Pacific. Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) is improving complexity and sophistication of exercises and ops through Southern Jackaroo of last month and Talisman Saber of this month in Australia. U.S., Australia and UK will join us at this year’s Talisman Saber. We’ll strengthen our cooperation with ally and partners. In January, JGSDF received a liaison officer from Australian Army. We expect that it will lead to further enhancement of cooperation between JGSDF and Australian Army. Through the personnel exchange, we’ll continue promoting stronger mutual understanding and interoperability.
【Part5】Japan & Australia have helped mutually in HA/DR areas. received ADF disaster relief assistance to the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011. ADF sent a C-17, 75 personnel & 2 rescue dogs, and transported relief goods, a special pump to cool nuclear plants & JGSDF.In Jan. 2020, Japan sent 2 C-130 & approx. 80 JSDF personnel for assistance to bushfires in Australia. JSDF transported approx. 600 people in total, incl. fire & disaster-relief crews & affected people by the disaster, & 11 tons of goods. Japan & Australia will continue cooperation in HA/DR.
【Part6】Japan & Australia worked together in the field of overseas HA/DR. In 2014, JSDF conducted a joint SAR ops with ADF for the missing Malaysian airplane. In 2018 JSDF conducted transport assistance in Indonesia by coordinating with Australia & other countries. In addition to working together in HA/DR to others,Japan & Australia also helped each other in various occasions. When assisted the typhoon-stricken Philippines in 2013, Japan provided RAS (Replenishment At Sea) to Australia based on Japan-Australia ACSA for the 1st time in international disaster relief activities. In 2016, icebreaker SHIRASE of JMSDF transported approx. 70 Australia expeditioners & 3 helicopters stranded in Antarctica after Australia’s icebreaker AURORA AUSTRALIS ran aground in a blizzard, and transported them to Casey Station.Japan & Australia will continue various cooperation including HA/DR.
【Part7】 JSDF & ADF cooperate in capacity building to Philippines, Timor-Lest & Viet Nam incl. on facilities & public health. In addition, JMOD and DeptDefence exchanged personnel to facilitate capacity building cooperation since 2013. Also, at Japan-Australia 2+2 in June, Ministers pledged to strengthen commitment to regional peace & stability, & confirmed that the SDF personnel are able to protect ADF assets under Article 95-2 of the JSDF Law. Japan and Australia will continue to further deepen cooperation as strategic partners.
【Part8】 Japan and Australia grew interoperability and familiarity of forces through increasingly sophisticated ground, maritime and air exercises and ops. At last Japan-Australia 2+2, Ministers pledged to increase complexity & sophistication of Japan and Australia exercises and ops between JSDF & ADF. JMSDF had its 1st Japan-U.S. bilateral exercise in 2009, while JASDF had its 1st in 2011. JGSDF joined Japan-U.S.-Australia trilateral exercise for the 1st time in 2013. Japan and continue improving tactical skills & contributing to the regional peace & stability through areas incl. exercises.
