Japan-Australia Relations
Japan-Australia Summit Telephone Talk
On November 16, commencing at 2:50 p.m. for approximately 20 minutes, Mr. Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan held a telephone talk with The Hon. Malcolm Turnbull, MP, Prime Minister of Australia, upon the request of the Australian side. The overview of the talk is as follows.
1. In his opening remarks, Prime Minister Turnbull expressed the view that the United States plays an important role in upholding regional peace and prosperity, and stated that he hopes Japan and Australia, both of which are allies of the US, will work together to build a constructive relationship with the new administration of the US. Furthermore, Prime Minister Turnbull stated that the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) holds great significance not only from an economic, but also from a strategic perspective, including rule-making in the Asia-Pacific region.
2. In response, Prime Minister Abe stated that the TPP not only holds economic significance such as rule-making in the Asia-Pacific region, but also strategic significance of ensuring regional peace and stability by countries that share fundamental values. Furthermore, Prime Minister Abe stated that accordingly, it is important that each country, including Japan and Australia, moves ahead with its domestic procedures to once again demonstrate to the world the resolve to bring the TPP into effect, and expressed his hope that Japan and Australia will work together closely on these points. In addition, Prime Minister Abe expressed the view that the US role on the peace and prosperity of the Asia-Pacific region continues to be important, while the peace and prosperity of the region is also important to the US itself. This view was also shared by Prime Minister Turnbull as well.
3. The two leaders concurred that Japan and Australia will continue to work closely bilaterally as well as with the US in the coming years.