The Australia–Japan Strategic Partnership Seminar brought together 275 virtual and in-person participants to explore opportunities for deepening understanding and cooperation in the defence partnership’s 50th year.

Hosted by the Centre for Defence Research at the Australian War College on August 18, the seminar provided a unique opportunity for defence representatives to learn more about the past, present and future of one of Australia’s most important strategic relationships.

The event’s high-profile speaker line-up included senior Defence leaders and visiting professors from Japan’s National Institute of Defense Studies and National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS).

A range of interactive presentations explored the growing bilateral security and defence partnership between Australia and Japan, and showcased the breadth and depth of cooperation, from strategic engagement through to practical project-level initiatives.

GRIPS Professor Narushige Michishita delivered the keynote address, examining how the defence partnership has evolved and strengthened since the signing of the Basic Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation (Nara Treaty) 50 years ago.

An event highlight was the opportunity to hear from a panel of senior Defence leaders who shared their perspectives on future opportunities for Australia to enhance integration and interoperability with Japan.

'The [seminar] was an important opportunity to increase Japanese literacy within Defence in a milestone year for Australia and Japan’s defence partnership.'

Moderated by Professor Michishita, the panel featured Commander of Joint Operations Vice Admiral Justin Jones, Chief Defence Scientist Professor Tanya Monro, Deputy Secretary Naval Shipbuilding and Sustainment Group David Hanley and First Assistant Secretary Defence Trade, Regulation and AUKUS Advanced Capabilities Division David Nockels.  

The panel identified key areas for future collaboration, including continued participation in exercises, industrial collaboration, science and technology innovation, and maintaining strong people-to-people relationships.

They also emphasised the importance of ensuring the partnership’s future is shaped by the 2026 National Defence Strategy’s focus on enhancing collective deterrence by strengthening security partnerships in the Indo-Pacific region. 

Commander Australian Defence College Major General Martin White said the event provided a platform to explore what defence and security cooperation between the two nations looked like in practice.

“The Australia–Japan Strategic Partnership Seminar was an important opportunity to increase Japanese literacy within Defence in a milestone year for Australia and Japan’s defence partnership,” Major General White said.

“It achieved this by showcasing the breadth and depth of defence cooperation between the nations and creating an opportunity for experts to share their knowledge with the broader defence community.

“This is another great example of how the Australian War College develops and maintains strong people-to-people connections that enhance capability and promote cooperation between nations.”