Australia and Japan Build 'Strategic Depth' to Counter China Threat

Central News Agency (Sydney, June 2) - The strengthening of the special strategic partnership between Australia and Japan continues to be a focus of international public opinion. The Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) published a special article today pointing out that following the declaration by leaders of both countries in May to strengthen 'strategic depth,' the two nations will further utilize each other's military industries and geographic advantages to support one another in dealing with the China threat. ASPI published the article 'Suddenly, we hear of Australian–Japanese strategic depth. Here's what it may mean,' authored by former British diplomat and current ASPI senior analyst Alex Bristow, and Rintaro Inoue, a researcher at Japan's Institute of Geoeconomics (IOG). The article mentions that 'strategic depth' refers to the distance between the front lines of a battlefield and assets in the rear. It became a key issue in Australia-Japan relations following the visit of Sanae Takaichi to Canberra in early May and her meeting with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, where they issued a joint statement emphasizing the growing importance of 'strategic depth' to their national security. The article points out that because Australia is remote and vast, it has historically kept its distance from many international disputes. However, the '2020 Defence Strategic Update' warned that with China's military expansion, Australia can no longer rely on its geographic advantages to deal with current security threats. Therefore, Australia needs Japan and the First Island Chain to provide a defensive shield to curb China's military expansion into the Pacific. As for Japan, which is adjacent to China, it is likely to be on the front lines of a major regional conflict, making its defense industry vulnerable to missile and air strikes. To reduce this risk, Japan needs to deploy its defense industry in other regions, and Australia is an ideal location for risk diversification. Furthermore, since Japan is located on the northeastern edge of Asia, and Australia's major cities like Darwin and Perth are close to the center of the Indo-Pacific, Australian support can significantly enhance the ability of Japan's naval and air forces to operate continuously in the region. In addition to geopolitical factors, industrial capacity will also be a focus of the 'strategic depth' issue. The article notes that Australia's '2026 National Defence Strategy' report mentions 'industrial depth,' emphasizing that Australia's military strength requires strong industrial capabilities and international partnerships. In this regard, Bristow and Inoue believe that Japan has significant advantages, as it possesses 'patient capital,' advanced technology, and strong production capacity, which are expected to boost Australia's defense industry. For example, Australia purchased upgraded Japanese 'Mogami-class' frigates, with some ships assembled at the Henderson Defence Precinct in Western Australia. Additionally, both countries are working to promote joint investment plans for their defense industries, critical minerals, and dual-use technologies. Bristow and Inoue believe that by building 'strategic depth' through cooperation, the Henderson Defence Precinct has the potential to become a regional warship manufacturing and maintenance center. They also warn that as Australia and Japan build 'strategic depth,' it will conflict with China, which is also 'seeking strategic depth' in the region. Furthermore, diplomatic departments need to strengthen communication with countries in the region to address potential misinterpretations by China regarding the meaning of the 'strategic depth' of Australia and Japan.