The Sun Rises South: Australia's emerging security partnership with Japan

Описание: THE RISING ALLIANCE | Australia, Japan and the Future of Indo-Pacific Security
Japan is undergoing its most significant strategic transformation in decades. Defence spending is rising, military capabilities are expanding, and security partnerships are deepening. But can Japan overcome the demographic, economic and institutional challenges that threaten its ambitions?
In this episode of In Our Defence, James Baker is joined by co-host and strategic analyst Andrew Kirby, fresh from two weeks in Japan meeting with leading figures across the country's defence, strategic policy and innovation communities.
They explore why Australia and Japan are natural strategic partners, what each country brings to the relationship, and why shared strategic interests alone won't deliver the military capabilities both nations need.
On the agenda:
Japan's strategic transformation and the growing challenges posed by China, North Korea and Russia.
The demographic crisis threatening Japan's defence workforce, economy and innovation capacity.
Japan's technological strengths — and the risks of being trapped by its own industrial success.
Australia's acquisition of Japanese Mogami-class frigates and the considerable challenges of transferring shipbuilding capability to Australia.
New agreements allowing Japan to test advanced weapons, including hypersonic systems, on Australian ranges.
Opportunities to combine Japanese advanced manufacturing with Australian innovation in autonomous systems, AI and defence technology.
Why the next stage of Australia–Japan defence cooperation must move beyond diplomatic agreements towards joint experimentation, development and production.
Andrew argues that Australia and Japan don't need to become more alike. Their greatest opportunity lies in combining their different strengths: Japan's extraordinary industrial and manufacturing capabilities with Australia's strategic geography, experimentation infrastructure and emerging defence technologies.
The challenge now is turning strategic alignment into practical military capability.
Join James and Andrew for a wide-ranging discussion about Japan's strategic future, Australia's role in the Indo-Pacific, and what it will take to build a genuinely integrated defence partnership.
In Our Defence — independent analysis and informed discussion on Australian defence, military capability and strategic affairs.
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