Japan-Australia Relations
Japan-Australia Leaders Video Teleconference Meeting
October 5, 2021
Prime Minister Kishida having a TV talk with the Australian Prime Minister 1
(Photo: Cabinet Public Relations Office)
Prime Minister Kishida having a TV talk with the Australian Prime Minister 2
(Photo: Cabinet Public Relations Office)
On October 5, commencing at 11:00 a.m. for approximately 20 minutes, Mr. KISHIDA Fumio, Prime Minister of Japan, held a leaders video teleconference meeting with the Hon Scott Morrison, MP, Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Australia. The overview of the meeting is as follows.
- Prime Minister Morrison offered his congratulations on Prime Minister Kishida’s appointment to office, and Prime Minister Kishida thanked Prime Minister Morrison. The two leaders confirmed that they would further strengthen the Japan-Australia “Special Strategic Partnership” and continue to work together toward the realization of a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific.”
- Regarding the bilateral relations, the two leaders affirmed that they would further (1) deepen the cooperation in security and defense and economy areas, (2) strengthen cooperation with allies and like-minded countries, including through the Japan-Australia-India-U.S., in order to contribute to the peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific, and (3) cooperate on global issues including climate change.
- During the discussion, Prime Minister Kishida stated that Japan welcomes the establishment of the Australia-U.K.-U.S. trilateral partnership (AUKUS). Both leaders also shared their strong opposition to any economic coercion and any unilateral attempt to change the status quo by force in the East and South China Seas.
- On North Korea, Prime Minister Kishida condemned that the recent nuclear and ballistic missile activities were a threat to the peace and security of Japan, the region and the wider international community. He appreciated the Australia’s measures against illegal ship-to-ship transfer of goods. Both leaders confirmed that they would continue to work together on the response to North Korea including the abductions issue.