Transformations in Security Relations Between the USA, Japan and Australia

2011 marked the 60th anniversary of both theUS-Japan Security Treaty and the ANZUSTreaty, and 2012 saw the 40th anniversary of thereturn of Okinawa to Japanese administration.(Hook, 2012: 133, 530-531) These Cold War-eraevents have no less resonance in thecontemporary era, as the security relationshipsbetween Japan, the United States and Australiacontinue to evolve. This paper will examinerecent developments in the bilateral securityrelations among these three Pacific powers, andconsider whether a formal trilateral securityarrangement may soon emerge