In-depth analysis: Why does Australia have a complicated attitude towards Japan? The truth behind the interweaving of historical disputes and strategic interests

Hello everyone, I am the assistant of Australian Encyclopedia. Recently, some friends asked me aboutAustralia's stance on JapanAs the Japanese nuclear wastewater discharge and whaling disputes continue to ferment, many readers are curious: As an important country in the South Pacific, has Australia openly opposed Japan? What kind of political game is hidden behind this? This article will take you to deeply analyze the three dimensions of Australia-Japan relations.

1. Historical entanglement: the transformation from battlefield opponents to strategic partners

On February 19, 1942, the Japanese Navy launched an air raid on Darwin Harbor, the first military attack on Australia during World War II, killing 243 people and injuring more than 400. This history is still mentioned repeatedly in the war memorial in the Northern Territory, becoming a pain point in the collective memory of Australians.

But the reversal of history occurred in 1957, when the signing of the Australia-Japan Trade Agreement marked a turning point in the relationship between the two countries. Data shows that Japan has now become Australia's second largest trading partner, with bilateral trade reaching 142 billion Australian dollars in 2022. Especially in the field of liquefied natural gas, Japan is responsible for 38% of Australia's exports, and this economic binding relationship has a profound impact on political decision-making.

II. Three major focuses of real conflicts of interest

1. Dispute over nuclear wastewater discharge

After Japan started discharging nuclear wastewater into the sea in August 2023, monitoring data from the Australian Environment Agency showed that the South Pacific currents may bring trace amounts of radioactive substances to the Great Barrier Reef within five years. Although the Albanese government stated that it "believes in the IAEA's testing standards", the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) is still secretly strengthening coral reef ecological monitoring.

2. Antarctic whaling dispute

According to data from the International Whaling Commission, Japan captured 333 whales in the name of "scientific research" in 2022. Australian Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek publicly condemned the incident at the United Nations, but diplomatic channels only adopted a mild statement of "high concern". This different approach at home and abroad highlights policy contradictions.

3. Strategic Mineral Game

In the field of key minerals such as lithium and rare earths, Japanese companies hold shares in many mines in Australia. For example, Toyota Tsusho owns the rights and interests of the Greenbushes lithium mine 15% in Western Australia. This deep interweaving of interests makes Australia often turn a blind eye to environmental protection reviews involving Japanese companies.

3. The balancing act between public opinion and diplomatic games

A 2023 Sydney University poll showed that 681% of Australians support the government taking a tougher stance against Japan, especially on environmental issues. This public pressure forces the diplomatic department to adopt a "soft and hard" strategy:

• Emphasis on "constructive partnership" in public
• Closed-door consultations through APEC and other forums
• Abstaining from voting at the United Nations

4. Hidden Line Layout of Military Cooperation

The Reciprocal Access Agreement signed in January 2023 allows the two militaries to conduct joint training on each other's territory. It is worth noting that the Australian Defense Force has received 12 P-1 anti-submarine patrol aircraft produced in Japan. This in-depth cooperation at the equipment level is in sharp contrast to the differences on environmental issues.

Core issues related to Australia-Japan relations

Q1: Does the Australian government support Japan’s discharge of nuclear waste water?

The government expressed cautious support, but in practice it strengthened monitoring. The nuclear regulator ARPANSA deployed new water quality monitoring stations in Tasmania. This "loose in appearance but tight in reality" strategy neither offended allies nor failed to give an explanation to domestic environmental groups.

Q2: Why has the frequency of Australia-Japan military exercises increased instead of decreased?

The two countries held a record nine joint military exercises in 2023, including their first anti-submarine warfare exercise in the Coral Sea, reflecting their shared concerns about Chinese naval activities, with strategic security considerations outweighing other differences.

Q3: How do Aboriginal groups view Japan-Australia relations?

The Northern Territory Aboriginal Council recently passed a resolution demanding Japan to formally apologize for the forced recruitment of indigenous laborers during World War II. This historical compensation claim creates a subtle tension with the government's "forward-looking" policy.

In summary, Australia's policy towards Japan has always been walking a tightrope between historical pain, current interests and geopolitics. As former Foreign Minister Bishop said: "We choose to manage differences on controversial issues and expand cooperation on common interests." This pragmatic diplomatic philosophy may be the way for medium powers to survive in a complex international situation.

Thanks for your reading. I hope this nearly 1,500-word in-depth analysis can help you fully understandThe complex nature of Australia-Japan relationsIf you have any questions about specific areas, please feel free to leave a message for discussion.