Australia and Japan will sign an historic treaty that will further strengthen defence and security cooperation between the two nations, during a virtual leaders’ summit on 6 January.
Australia and Japan are the closest of friends. Our Special Strategic Partnership is stronger than it has ever been, reflecting our shared values, our commitment to democracy and human rights, and our common interests in a free, open and resilient Indo-Pacific region.
The virtual summit with His Excellency Mr Kishida Fumio, Prime Minister of Japan, will mark the opening of a new chapter of defence and security cooperation between our two countries, with the signing of a Reciprocal Access Agreement.
This landmark treaty will underpin greater and more complex practical engagement between the Australian Defence Force and the Japanese Self-Defence Forces. It will, for the first time, provide a clear framework for enhanced interoperability and cooperation between our two forces.
This treaty will be a statement of our two nations’ commitment to work together in meeting the shared strategic security challenges we face and to contribute to a secure and stable Indo-Pacific.
Our cooperation also includes an expanding agenda for the Quad with India and the United States, and our shared technology-led approach to reducing carbon emissions.
The virtual summit will also build on our Partnership for Decarbonisation through Technology, including identifying opportunities to deepen government and business collaboration on clean energy and critical technologies and materials.
I look forward to my summit with Prime Minister Kishida and welcoming him to Australia in the near future.
