The prime minister of Japan left on Friday for a three-day trip to Australia with the goal of enhancing defense co-operation in light of China’s regional ascent.
Fumio Kishida stated that defense and security as well as attaining a free and open Indo-Pacific would be two main items on the agenda when he meets with his Australian counterpart, Anthony Albanese, in Perth over the weekend.
It will be the third time since the Australian assumed office in May that Kishida and Albanese will meet in person. During the meeting, they anticipate signing a new security-related joint agreement.
In order to attend the state burial of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Albanese traveled to Japan at the end of September.
In May, shortly after taking office, he also traveled to Tokyo to attend the Quad alliance leaders’ conference, which brings together Australia, Japan, India, and the United States.
The current statement, signed in 2007, will be replaced by the new joint security declaration that both nations are preparing.
According to Japanese government officials, it will reiterate the need to oppose China’s geopolitical rise in the Asia-Pacific region.
The defense of a free and open Indo-Pacific, a policy supported by Tokyo and Washington to restrain China’s expanding military capabilities in the region and one of the Quad alliance’s cornerstones, is likely to be mentioned in the new declaration.
In an environment that is becoming more difficult due to territorial disputes with China, North Korea’s weapon development, and deteriorating relations with Russia as a result of its invasion of Ukraine, Japan sees the alliance as a way to bolster its security relationships.
The Five Eyes intelligence-sharing cooperation, which is made up of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United States, and the United Kingdom, is another area where the Kishida administration hopes to improve relations.
Regarding a reliable energy supply for Japan at a time when the situation in Ukraine has created uncertainty, Kishida stated that he will also speak with Albanese.
About 40% of Japan’s liquefied natural gas imports and 70% of its coal come from Australia. EFE
