Building resilience in Japan-China ties: a role for Australia

This paper examines the possible implications for Australia of the fragile Japan-China relationship, arguing that Australia has significant interests at stake in both countries and that these may be harmed by deteriorating ties between them. It specifically addresses the issue of the foreign policy measures that Australia might adopt to support greater resilience in Japan-China ties.

The paper outlines a number of policy recommendations that aim to manage differences, particularly relating to the contested Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands and sensitivities over Japan's wartime aggression. While the paper acknowledges that Australian initiatives will not be sufficient to place the Japan-China relationship on a positive footing, it concludes that a commitment to exploring avenues for cooperation between the two most powerful countries in Asia would represent a prudent investment in securing Australia's future in a region that is being fundamentally changed by China's rise.

This paper was also published in the Indo-Pacific Strategic Digest series.

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