Japan-Australia Relations
Japan-Australia Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
April 20, 2017
On Thursday, April 20, Mr. Fumio Kishida, Minister for Foreign Affairs, held a Foreign Ministers’ meeting with the Hon Julie Bishop, MP, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Commonwealth of Australia. The overview of the meeting is as follows.
(2) Minister Bishop referred to the deep economic ties and exchanges shared between Japan and Australia, citing achievements such as the 60th anniversary of the conclusion of the Agreement on Commerce between Japan and Australia and the positive outcome of the Japan-Australia Free Trade Agreement which had now been in place for two years since its enactment. Minister Bishop also stated that given Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s successful visit to Australia in January, Australia looked forward to holding deeper discussions with Japan, which shares the closest views to Australia in the Indo-Pacific region, about issues facing the region and international community.
(3) Both Ministers confirmed the importance of the role that the US plays in ensuring the peace, stability and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific region and concurred to further strengthen trilateral ties between Japan, Australia and the US. The two ministers also shared the view on India’s importance to the region, and concurred to make efforts to strengthen trilateral cooperation between Japan, Australia and India as well.
(2) Minister Kishida also mentioned about the Japan-US economic dialogue held on 18 April, explaining Japan’s position of continuing constructive deliberations with the US in order to promote open and fair markets throughout the world. Regarding the TPP, Minister Kishida stated that Japan and Australia would closely cooperate and would like to discuss what would be the best option without eliminating any possibilities; Minister Bishop stated that Australia would also like to continue positive dialogue about the TPP.
1 Bilateral and Multilateral Relations
(1) Foreign Minister Kishida welcomed Foreign Minister Bishop’s visit to Japan and stated that, given the two countries’ shared views on the strategic challenges and opportunities in the Indo-Pacific region, Japan would like to deepen the Special Strategic Partnership and make further progress on substantive cooperation spanning a wide range of fields, including regional and global issues and economics, agriculture and innovation.(2) Minister Bishop referred to the deep economic ties and exchanges shared between Japan and Australia, citing achievements such as the 60th anniversary of the conclusion of the Agreement on Commerce between Japan and Australia and the positive outcome of the Japan-Australia Free Trade Agreement which had now been in place for two years since its enactment. Minister Bishop also stated that given Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s successful visit to Australia in January, Australia looked forward to holding deeper discussions with Japan, which shares the closest views to Australia in the Indo-Pacific region, about issues facing the region and international community.
(3) Both Ministers confirmed the importance of the role that the US plays in ensuring the peace, stability and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific region and concurred to further strengthen trilateral ties between Japan, Australia and the US. The two ministers also shared the view on India’s importance to the region, and concurred to make efforts to strengthen trilateral cooperation between Japan, Australia and India as well.
2 Regional Issues
(1) The ministers exchanged opinions on regional issues, including the situation of the Korean peninsula and relations with China. Minister Kishida expressed his gratitude for Australia’s understanding for the abductions issue and requested continued close cooperation.(2) Minister Kishida also mentioned about the Japan-US economic dialogue held on 18 April, explaining Japan’s position of continuing constructive deliberations with the US in order to promote open and fair markets throughout the world. Regarding the TPP, Minister Kishida stated that Japan and Australia would closely cooperate and would like to discuss what would be the best option without eliminating any possibilities; Minister Bishop stated that Australia would also like to continue positive dialogue about the TPP.