AUSTRALIA-JAPANESE RELATIONS By Carlo Australia Prime Minister: Julia GillardForeign Minister: Stephen Smith Japan Prime Minister: Naoto KanForeign Minister: Katsuya Okada History of the Relationship Since colonization, Japanese migrants have moved to Australia, Most of them merchants. During WWII Japan were part if the Axis powers, alongside with Nazi Germany. The bombing of Darwin and midget submarines attacking naval vessels in Sydney Harbor provoked fear of invasion and much racism. Post War Both countries developed a mutual relationship with the Basic Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation,1796. This relationship based on trade links has lead to political and economical development between the two countries. Australian-Japan joint declaration on security cooperation (JDSC)- March 2007 Security cooperation in: - Law Enforcement - Border Security - Counter Terrorism - Counter proliferation of WOMD - Maritime and aviation security - Humanitarian relief operations What do we get out of the Relationship? Passenger Cars - $5.546bn Refined Petroleum - $1.384bn Iron & steel tubes and pipes -$570m What do we give Japan? Coal - $15.8bn Iron Ore - $5.049bn Beef - $1.831bn Current Events: Whaling During his election campaign in 2007 Kevin Rudd Threatened the Japanese that he would take legal action if they continued whaling. The Japanese have continued, claiming that it is for scientific purposes. The Japanese hunt Minke whale in the southern ocean of which parts make contact with Australia. In July Kevin Rudd took the issue to the International Court of Justice The case has not yet been resolved and has been put aside due to the Rudds leadership spill and the current federal election.