Japan-Australia Relations
Japan-Australia Summit Meeting
September 24, 2021
Japan-Australia Summit Meeting(Photo: Cabinet Public Relations Office)
Japan-Australia Summit Meeting(Photo: Cabinet Public Relations Office)
Japan-Australia Summit Meeting(Photo: Cabinet Public Relations Office)
On September 24, commencing at 8:35 a.m. local time (at 21:35 p.m. JST) for approximately 70 minutes, Mr. SUGA Yoshihide, Prime Minister of Japan, held a Summit meeting over breakfast with the Hon Scott Morrison, MP, Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Australia, in the United States, during his visit to attend Japan-Australia-India-U.S. Leaders’ Conference. The overview of the meetings is as follows. Approximately the last 10 minutes of the meeting was held only between the two leaders.
- The two leaders confirmed that the Japan-Australia “Special Strategic Partnership” had been further strengthened under their leadership. Additionally, both leaders concurred that Japan and Australia would continue working together toward the realization of a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” including the advancement of bilaterally relations in security and economic areas.
- In addition, to adress the issue of strategic competition in the Indo-Pacific, the two leaders affirmed the importance of strengthening ties with allies and like-minded countries, including cooperation between Japan, Australia, India, and the U.S. To that end, Prime Minister Suga stated that Japan welcomes the establishment of the Australia-UK-US trilateral security partnership (AUKUS).
- Both leaders again shared their strong opposition to any economic coersion and any unilateral attempt to change the status quo by force in the East and South China Seas.
- Furthermore, regarding Southeast Asia, the two leaders confirmed that Japan and Australia, as well as Japan, Australia, India, and the U.S., will work together to develop concrete initiatives toward the realization of a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific,” while continuing to support the centrality and unity of ASEAN as a cornerstone.
- The two leaders also exchanged views on North Korea, with Prime Minister Suga commenting that he strongly condemned the recent ballistic missile launch by North Korea as a violation of United Nation Security Council resolutions, and that North Korea’s recent nuclear and missile activities were a threat to the peace and security of Japan, the region, and the wider international community, and both leaders affirmed the importance of the full implementation of Security Council resolutions. Finally, Prime Minister Suga sought understanding and cooperation toward the swift resolution of the abduction issue, to which Prime Minister Morrison offered his support.