From Pacific War to Pacific Partnerships

Guest Speaker: Dr. Kimi Coaldrake

A framed copy of the front page of the Sydney Morning Herald dated 16 August 1945 as the Pacific War ended hangs on a wall in the Club bar. It declares, “Japan Capitulates. Delirious Joyin Australia”. By comparison, the Australia-Japan Declaration on Security Cooperation was announced on 22 October 2022. This partnership reinforces the respective alliances of Australiaand Japan with the United States. Governments have a critical role in shaping these developments. However, we often overlook the contributions of individuals who have influenced the transformation of relationships between the three countries since 1945.

Club member, Dr. Kimi Coaldrake, an Australian who has a lifelong association with Japan andthe U.S., has had the privilege of being both a participant and observer of events that have contributed to the recent re-envisioning of strategic security relationships between Japan, Australia and the United…