Federal Government to renew major defence and security agreement with Japan as Reiichiro Takahashi signals ally’s energy interests

Australia and Japan are on the cusp of renewing a major defence and security agreement amid strained relations with Asian superpower China as the deadly coronavirus outbreak continues to cast a shadow over the world. But Japan’s Australian ambassador has cast a shadow over the Federal Government’s exploration of nuclear energy, saying that while the decision was ultimately up to Prime Minister Scott Morrison, many of his country’s plants are closing or reducing operations. The normally reclusive Reiichiro Takahashi yesterday sat down with The West Australian and discussed energy and security co-operation between the two nations. Mr Takahashi, in Perth this week for the Japan symposium with the Perth-US-Asia Centre, said there was a major opportunity for Australia to become the biggest energy supplier to Japan through hydrogen. He said it was possible the industry could be up and running within 10 years, reducing reliance on fossil fuels. On defence and security ties, Mr Takahashi said a refresh of the original 2007 agreement would be a top level priority when Mr Morrison and Japanese leader Shinzo Abe meet this year. The PM was due to travel to Japan in January but had to postpone because of the bushfires. “It’s been more than 12 years since the establishment of this security declaration in 2007 and 12 years is a long time, so there are changes in the strategic landscape in the Indo-Pacific during which time both of the armed forces ... has accumulated experience in working together,” Mr Takahashi said. “When Prime Minister Morrison will visit Japan next, I think this is going to be a very good opportunity for the two leaders to confirm the strength of our co-operation and try to find a way to update this joint declaration so we will be able to face up to new challenges given by the changing landscape.” With the 2007 deal, John Howard and Mr Abe signed a major agreement on defence and security co-operation. It made Australia a closer security ally of Japan than any country except the US. At the time, the two leaders were at pains to stress the move was not aimed at reining in China. But last year, tensions between China and Australia continued and the travel ban implemented by the Federal Government in response to the coronavirus outbreak has strained relations further. Mr Takahashi said critical minerals would continue to be of great importance between Australia and Japan and would open up a potential trade pipeline between WA and Japan. But he said nuclear energy, the subject of a parliamentary inquiry recently, was becoming less important in Japan. “There are very small number of nuclear plants operation currently and this situation (of decline) may continue in the future,” Mr Takahashi said. “I am not in a position to give you any sort of ideas that Australia should do this or not do this. It is up to your people and leaders to come up with appropriate long-term energy policy of your own.” However, he said hydrogen represented the biggest energy opportunities. “We need cleaner energy sources for the future,” Mr Takahashi said. “In 10 to 20 years it is quite possible hydrogen will become the major trading item ... Given the challenges of global warming and our mutual commitment to the Paris agreement, we are looking for the cleaner energy sources. “The one area … Prime Minister Abe personally committed to pursue is hydrogen.”