Japan-Australia Relations

On August 25, commencing at 12:30 local time (same day, 7:30 p.m. JST) for approximately 40 minutes, Mr. Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan, held a summit meeting with the Hon. Scott Morrison, Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Australia, who was visiting France in response to the invitation to attend the G7 Summit in Biarritz. The overview of the meeting is as follows. Approximately the first 20 minutes of the meeting was held only between the two leaders.

1. The leaders expressed their pleasure to see each other again since the G20 Osaka Summit in June, and shared the recognition that the close dialogue between the leaders exemplifies the “Special Strategic Partnership” between the two countries. Prime Minister Abe touched on the speech that Prime Minister Morrison delivered to the Parliament of Australia on August 1 in remembrance of the 75th anniversary of the Cowra breakout. Prime Minister Abe expressed appreciation for the dignified speech that lauded the success of reconciliation between Japan and Australia and their friendly relations, and expressed his wish to work with Prime Minister Morrison for further strengthening Japan-Australia relations.
2. The leaders exchanged views regarding the regional situation, including the South China Sea and the situation regarding North Korea, and shared the view on continuing to work closely together.
3. With regard to pursuing a free and open Indo-Pacific, the leaders confirmed that this concept had gained broader support, and shared their view that it is important to promote concrete cooperation projects, including those in the Pacific Island countries between Japan and Australia and among Japan, Australia, and the United States. The leaders reaffirmed to  deepen the bilateral collaboration.