Japan-NZ partnership deepens as Pacific threats rise

Despite being separated by the vast Pacific Ocean, Japan and New Zealand are strengthening their partnership to aid greater regional stability.

In the face of escalating security challenges in the Pacific, Japan and New Zealand are tightening their strategic partnership, recognising that regional prosperity hinges on stability.

This deepening alliance was underscored during New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s visit to Tokyo in June, where he met with his Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida to strengthen their countries’ shared commitment to safeguarding the Pacific.

Japan and New Zealand have enjoyed more than 70 years of diplomatic relations.

Luxon, who took over the premiership in November last year, quickly recognised Japan as a key ally in his foreign policy, selecting it as one of his first official destinations.

In a joint statement, he emphasised the vital importance of a free and open, rules-based international order — a cornerstone of both nations’ foreign policies.

In his speech, Luxon pointed out the growing geopolitical pressures in the region, declaring that “prosperity is only possible with security“.

He highlighted the importance of upholding the core values of freedom, democracy, and the rule of law — principles that Japan and New Zealand are determined to defend against mounting threats.

The latest example of such cooperation is air surveillance missions against North Korea’s illegal ship-to-ship transfers, which are banned under UN Security Council sanctions.

The visit also marked a significant milestone in the Japan-New Zealand relationship with the long-anticipated Information Security Agreement which had been in the works for more than a decade.

The Information Security Agreement represents a pivotal step in enhancing the secure exchange of classified information between the two nations, further solidifying their defence cooperation.

Beyond bilateral ties, both Japan and New Zealand recognised the importance of multilateral partnerships which led to the formation of the Indo-Pacific Four, a framework that includes Australia and South Korea.

These multilateral partnerships along with existing ones such as the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, or QUAD, and Five Eyes — an Anglosphere intelligence alliance comprising Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK and the US — are crucial for maintaining regional security in the face of global uncertainties.

The ongoing commitment to regional multilateral arrangements is at the heart of Japan and New Zealand’s closer security partnership.

The joint statement emphasised the collaboration between the Japan-led Pacific Island Leaders Forum and the Pacific Island Forum’s “2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent” framework.

Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the peace, stability and prosperity of the Pacific, echoing earlier declarations made in February 2023 and June 2023.

Official discussions have undoubtedly highlighted concerns over North Korea’s unpredictable actions and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as major sources of global instability.

Japan, New Zealand and other Pacific nations are also increasingly wary about China’s demonstrated strategic assertiveness in the East and South China Seas, rising tensions in the Taiwan Strait and its growing influence across the Pacific region.

China remains a crucial economic partner, making it unlikely they will jeopardise their economic ties with Beijing. However, in the security domain, Japan and New Zealand continue to closely monitor China’s maritime activities.

The recently signed information security agreement underscores their shared commitment to addressing concerns over China. Their participation in multilateral naval exercises such as Nobel Raven24 in the East China Sea further strengthens their shared security efforts.

These developments present direct and indirect challenges to the core values of a free and open rules-based international order that both Japan and New Zealand are committed to upholding.

As these core values come under constant threat, both countries are likely to strengthen their strategic partnerships even further, both bilaterally and within multilateral frameworks in the Pacific.

This growing partnership underscores their shared commitment to regional security and prosperity, highlighting their shared understanding that a robust security partnership is essential for navigating the increasingly complex geopolitical landscape of the Pacific.

Dr Tadashi Iwami is a lecturer at the Modern Japanese Studies Program at Hokkaido University, Japan.

Originally published under Creative Commons by 360info™.