The Study On Australia-japan Relationship Before The Pacific War (1929-1941)

Australia and Japan are the two most important developed countries in the Western Pacific area, whose relationship can be traced back to the nineteen century. In Australia and Japan's long common history, 1929-1941 is a period of bilateral relations which experienced significant and profound change. During this period, the bilateral relationship changed dramatically, from being mutually beneficial and friendly, to intensely hostile.The outbreak of the world economic crisis in October of 1929 served as a mutually beneficial opportunity for these two countries. During this crisis, Japan increased the primary products that they imported from Australia, which, in turn, increased its profits. Meanwhile, Japan also exported more goods to Australia. Under such circumstances, these two countries sent delegations to each other to further the friendship. The delegations increased the feelings of amicability, which fully developed immediately before the outbreak of war in the Pacific theatre during World War II.In the beginning of the 1930s, however, Japan's policy of foreign expansion put its relations with Australia to the ultimate test. From 1936, Australia adopted the policy of appeasement, and Australia also adopted a proactive policy against Japan, on the other hand. The dissemination of the Diversion Policy marked the Australians'policy against Japan, and this was also the turning point of their bilateral relations. After the beginning of World War II, Japan advanced their troops to the South, and attempted to establish a self-sufficient system. At that time, the Allied powers were involved in the European theatre. In order to discern Japan's intentions in their advance to the South, Australia established the Minister of Diplomatic Relations with Japan in August of 1940. However, the establishment of diplomatic relations was not enough to change Japan's movement to the South, nor did it improve the relations between the two countries. After the aggression against Vietnam from Japan, Australia began trade sanctions with the United States and Great Britain to stop the Japanese from continuing their advance to the South, which made the relationship between Australia and Japan even worse, and finally, they broke their diplomatic ties. On December 7th, 1941, Japan made a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor and attacked the Australians in Malaya. Australia then followed suit from the United States and Great Britain, and declared war on Japan. From this point forward, the relationship between Japan and Australia evolved into one that was extremely hostile.