Australia–Japan relations

Bilateral relations exist between Australia and Japan.

The relationships are generally warm and have since continued to grow strong over the years, both nations being considerably close, substantial and driven by mutual interests, with both nations having close ties with the Western world. Japan is one of Australia's major economic partners: it is Australia's “second largest trading partner and an increasingly important source of capital investment". In recent times, the relations have expanded beyond strong economic and commercial links to other spheres, including culture, tourism, defense and scientific cooperation.

Tensions were high in the early stage of the relationship, such as World War II, and Japan's perceived economic domination during the 1980s and early 1990s. However, the Australian government and business leaders see Japan as a vital export market and an essential element in Australia's future growth and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region. Japan, for its part, regards Australia as an important partner, a reliable source of energy, minerals and other primary products, a popular tourist destination, a useful conduit to the West and the only other middle-ranking economic power in the Asia-Pacific. Australia's former Prime Minister Tony Abbott in 2018 hailed Japan as Australia's closest friend in Asia and proceeded on creating a Free Trade Agreement between the two nations in the coming year. Australia and Japan both acknowledge each other as key strategic partners within the Asia-Pacific, with both being prosperous liberal democracies and key allies of the United States. Former Defence Minister Marise Payne described Japan as a "key partner" in the region; for his part, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida described the relationship as the linchpin of security in the Indo-Pacific.

Australia maintains an embassy in Tokyo, a consulate-general in Osaka, and a consulate in Sapporo. Japan also maintains an embassy in Canberra, consulates-general in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth, along with a consulate in Cairns.