As reported here on Japundit, Canberra and Tokyo are indeed taking important steps towards far-reaching security and defence cooperation. Read all about it here, and see an interesting discussion of its merits here.

This is a huge step for both countries, but perhaps more so for Japan. While not a full treaty, this will still be Japan’s first bilateral defence agreement with any nation besides the United States and is a reflection of Tokyo’s growing willingness to behave as an independent, or ‘normal’, security actor in the increasingly uncertain neighbourhood of North-East Asia. The public’s reaction to the agreement will also be a key litmus test for PM Abe’s plans to alter the pacifist constitution to allow for a more assertive Japan in foreign affairs. Some Japanese resist even the US-Japan alliance and would certainly be unwilling to have their country enter into new defence relationships, but the belligerence of North Korea leads many more to agree that Japan needs to seek out more security cooperation with a variety of new friends.

Meanwhile, China is undoubtedly cautious about the prospect of the agreement developing into some kind of containment bloc working in conjunction with the Australia-US-Japan Trilateral Strategic Dialogue, about which it already harbours grave reservations. But, for that matter, China is most likely worried about Japan signing new security pacts with anyone at all.

For Australia, the most contentious aspect of the wide-ranging agreement is the possibility that it will include provisions for joint military exercises on Australian soil. Many Australians still remember WWII, in which Sydney harbour was attacked and the northern city of Darwin was bombed. There are understandable sensitivities with regards to allowing SDF units to train on Australian soil with Australian soldiers, but staunchly conservative Prime Minister Howard has played down such fears saying:

I don’t think Australians would mightily object to it, I really don’t.

He also recalled the warm reception by the Australian public towards the successful military cooperation between ADF and SDF units serving in Iraq last year. Even the Returned Servicemen League (RSL) has come out in support of the agreement, and it seems that this kind of ‘war nostalgia’ sentiment is unlikely to hinder its development from the Australian side.

John Howard will visit Japan next month and it seems likely that the deal will be hammered out in time for a signing ceremony in Tokyo for when the two leaders meet. I so called this one.