The Australia-Japan Political Alignment: 1952 to the Present (Routledge Studies in the Modern History of Asia, 4)

In this new volume, Alan Rix examines the renewal of post-war contacts between Australia and Japan and the resolution of wartime issues in the 1950s. He shows how some major bilateral negotiations highlight the tensions involved in forging a strong relationship, while extensive analysis of the machinery of diplomacy (the administrative, political and legal framework) indicates the depth of bilateral ties. Also covered are the close consultation and diplomatic dealings over the decades and the personal connections between leaders. Australia's relationship with Japan has often been seen in just trade and economic terms. In fact there is a long history of political exchange and co-operation since the 1950s, that has led to a close alignment of political and security interests that have helped shape the Asia-Pacific region. In this new volume Alan Rix examines the renewal of post-war contacts between the two countries and the resolution of wartime issues in the 1950s. He shows how some major bilateral negotiations highlight the tensions involved in forging a strong relationship, while extensive analysis of the machinery of diplomacy (the administrative, political and legal framework) indicates the depth of bilateral ties. Also covered are the close consultation and diplomatic dealings over the decades and the personal connections between leaders. The Australia-Japan Political Alignment documents for the first time, the details of this close and important relationship making it a new and original contribution to studies of Australia's foreign relations and Japan's place in the post-war world. Book Cover......Page 1 Title......Page 4 Contents......Page 5 Preface......Page 7 Introduction......Page 8 The First Political Links: Resolving Wartime Issues......Page 16 Issues and Styles: Prime Ministers and Diplomacy......Page 35 Resolving Disputes: Some Key Australia-Japan Negotiations......Page 50 The Machinery of Diplomacy: Managing the Relationship......Page 77 The Pressure of Public Opinion: The Japanese Presence and the Public Debate......Page 103 Australia, Japan and International Cooperation......Page 124 Keeping the Region Safe: Defence and Security in the Australia-Japan Relationship......Page 154 Conclusion: Perfect Partners?......Page 183 Bibliography......Page 187 Abbreviations......Page 193 Index......Page 194 Examining the renewal of post-war contacts between Australia and Japan and the resolution of wartime issues in the 1950s this book makes an original contribution to studies of Australia's foreign relations and Japan's place in the post-war world.