Japan-Australia Relations

On October 10, commencing at 5:05 p.m. (3:05 p.m. Japan time) for approximately 60 minutes, Mr. Taro Kono, Minister for Foreign Affairs, who is visiting Sydney, to attend the eighth Japan-Australia Foreign and Defence Ministerial Consultations ("2+2"), held a meeting with Senator The Hon Marise Payne, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Commonwealth of Australia, following the conclusion of the Japan-Australia 2+2. The overview of the meeting is as follows.

1. At the outset, Minister Kono said that highly meaningful discussions were held at the Japan-Australia 2+2 and expressed his intention to firmly follow up on the outcomes, in order to further promote security and defence cooperation between Japan and Australia, which has been rapidly expanding in recent years.
2. The two ministers reaffirmed that they will work together, based on the discussions at the Japan-Australia 2+2, to advance the negotiations on the Reciprocal Access Agreement, which will reciprocally improve administrative, policy, and legal procedures.
3. The two ministers also exchanged views on bilateral relations, infrastructure cooperation and regional affairs.