Policy convergence and divergence in Australia and Japan
The Griffith Asia Institute and Ritsumeikan University in Japan, supported by the Japan Foundation hosted the 5th Annual Australia-Japan Dialogue in Brisbane on Thursday 10 December. A timely event, given that last month both countries defence ministers moved to further enhance bi-lateral military cooperation, with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull expected to continue discussions during a visit to Japan later this month.
The dialogue is designed to examine where policy is converging and where it is diverging in the case of Australia and Japan, the Dialogue brings together leading academic and policy experts from both countries.
The Ambassador of Policy Planning and International Security Policy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan, Mr Toshiro Iijima addressed the Dialogue on Thursday morning, as did First Assistant Secretary, Mr Graham Fletcher, from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
The dialogue sessions included:
– The Regional Security Environment: Overview of Issues, Actors, and Trends
– Legislative Action on Security
– Executive Influence and Accountability in Security Policy Making and Implementation
– Government Perceptions of the Contemporary Regional and International Environment
– Changes in Australian and Japanese Party Politics – Electoral issues and political trends
Papers from the dialogue will be available early next year.
The dialogue was preceded by the fourth Annual Australia-Japan Lecture as part of the Perspectives:Asia series, in which Ambassador Iijima spoke about “Japan’s Greater Contribution to Peace, Security and Stability in Asia”. To watch the lecture click here.
Griffith Asia Institute Director, Professor Russell Trood opens the dialogue
The Ambassador of Policy Planning and International Security Policy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan, Mr Toshiro Iijima
Mr Graham Fletcher, First Assistant Secretary, North Asia Division, Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
“The Regional Security Environment: Overview of Issues, Actors, and Trends” with Professor Andrew O’Neil, Head of School, School of Government and International Relations, Griffith University, session chair Professor Richard Rigby, Australian National University and Dr Miwa Hirono, Ritsumeikan University
“Legislative Action on Security” with Professor John Kane, Griffith University, session chair Dr Tomohiko Satake, National Institute for Defence Studies
and Professor Masaki Ina, Rotary Peace Center, International Christian University
“Executive Influence and Accountability in Security Policy Making and Implementation” with Professor Masahiro Kobori, Ritsumeikan University, session chair Professor Haig Patapan, Director, Centre for Governance and Public Policy, Griffith University and Professor Patrick Weller AO, Centre for Governance and Public Policy, Griffith University
“Government Perceptions of the Contemporary Regional and International Environment” with Associate Professor Michael Heazle, Griffith Asia Institute and the School of Government and International Relation, Griffith University, session chair Associate Professor Luis Cabrera, Griffith Asia Insititute and Ms Yuki Tatsumi, Senior Associate, Stimson Centre
“Changes in Australian and Japanese Party Politics – Electoral issues and Political Trends” with Associate Professor Go Murakami, Ritsumeikan University, session chair Dr Duncan McDonnell, School of Government and International Relations, Griffith University and Dr Tracey Arklay, School of Government and International Relations, Griffith University
Ms Yuki Tatsumi, Senior Associate, Stimson Centre, Associate Professor Luis Cabrera, Griffith Asia Insitiute, Professor Ben Schreer, Head of Department, Policing, Intelligence and Counter Terrorism (PICT) and Ayusa Koshi, The Japan Foundation
