Lectures
50 years of friendship and cooperation: Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the 1976 Basic Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation between Australia and Japan
Synopsis
2026 will mark fifty years since Australia and Japan signed the Basic Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation (the Treaty was signed on 16 June 1976 by Prime Ministers Fraser and Miki). The Treaty heralded a new stage in Australia–Japan relations, enshrining the depth of friendship, combined interest and interdependence of purpose between our two nations. The Treaty established a framework of principles to guide and strengthen future bilateral relations, focused on increasing investment, economic and political ties and people to people connections. The Treaty remains a key instrument of one of Australia’s most successful international partnerships.
Brief Biography
His Excellency Mr. Justin Hayhurst is Australia’s Ambassador to Japan and took up the appointment in January 2023. Ambassador Hayhurst is a senior career officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and was most recently Deputy Secretary of the Geostrategic Group and Australia’s Senior Quad Official. Previously, Ambassador Hayhurst was First Assistant Secretary International in the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet. Ambassador Hayhurst was First Assistant Secretary of the Foreign Policy White Paper Taskforce from 2016 to 2017 and served as Deputy Head of Mission at the Australian Embassy, Beijing, from 2012 to 2016. From 2007 to 2009 he served as Adviser to the Minister for Foreign Affairs on North Asia, South Asia, Afghanistan, Iraq and counter-terrorism. Ambassador Hayhurst worked as a Senior Analyst at the Office of National Assessments from 2004 to 2007. He was also Second Secretary at the Australian Embassy, Manila, from 2001 to 2004. Ambassador Hayhurst joined DFAT in 1999. He has a First Class Honours Degree in History from the University of Melbourne and a Graduate Diploma of Foreign Affairs and Trade from Monash University.
Lecture Date
Monday, September 08, 2025