The threats to security in Southeast Asia have been serious and constant since the end of World War II. This book provides an absorbing account of the evolution of a key axis of regional stability - defense contacts between Japan and Australia, tracing the relationship from the early post-war period to the post-9/11 present. Though most works have focused on their economic nexus, Japan and Australia"s defenses and security ties have assumed increasing importance since the mid-1990s. With problems such as North Koreas nuclear program and the China-Taiwan standoff threatening regional stability, the two countries have sought to strengthen bilateral relations, and indications are that this relationship is likely to grow in the future. Filling a gap in the existing literature, the book explores the evolution of their relationship in the broader context of Asia-Pacific security, addressing regional, sub-regional and transnational issues. Paying particular attention to how the US, the UN and the events of 9/11 have impacted on bilateral defense contacts and regional security dynamics, the book will be welcomed by those with an interest in Asian politics, international relations, and security studies.