Politics Now Australia-Japan: friends with benefits?
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May 4, 2026 Talks about deepening defence and diplomatic ties with Japan and worries about being pulled into regional tensions. Discussion of wider alliance-building as doubts grow about US reliability. Preview of an imminent federal budget with talk of spending restraint and tax options. Coverage of a child’s death, calls for inquiries, and the political sensitivity around Indigenous grief and policy.
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NARA Anniversary Signals Deep Alignment Not Formal Alliance
- Australia and Japan mark 50 years of the NARA friendship treaty while stopping short of an upgraded alliance despite deep strategic alignment.
- Jacob Greber notes repeated government language: no country is more strategically aligned with Australia than Japan, yet Japan isn't ready to upgrade the treaty now.
Hawkish Rhetoric Risks Dragging Australia Into Tensions
- Japan's new prime minister projects a hawkish stance toward China, raising concerns about unintentionally drawing Australia into regional tensions.
- Jacob Greber cites commentary warning that overcooked rhetoric could needlessly drag Australia into conflict with China.
Allies Rallying Around Each Other Amid US Uncertainty
- Australia is conducting wide 'alliance-work' with like-minded countries to hedge against unpredictable US alliance policy under Donald Trump.
- Jacob Greber describes visits from EU, Canada and others as overt response to fears about US reliability.