Japan-Australia Relations
Japan-Australia Foreign Ministers' Meeting
February 12, 2022
On February 12, commencing at 8:35 a.m. local time (On February 12, at 6:35 a.m. JST) for approximately 65 minutes, Mr. HAYASHI Yoshimasa, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, who was visiting Australia to attend the Japan-Australia-India-U.S. Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, held a meeting with Senator the Hon. Marise Payne, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Commonwealth of Australia. The overview of the meeting is as follows.
- At the outset, Minister HAYASHI touched upon the outcome of last month's Japan-Australia Leaders Video Teleconference Meeting, including the signing of the Japan-Australia RAA. He and Minister Payne confirmed that Japan and Australia, as “Special Strategic Partners,” will further strengthen the bilateral relationship and embody their commitment toward the realization of a "Free and Open Indo-Pacific."
- The two ministers shared the view to promote efforts to strengthen security and defense cooperation between Japan-Australia amid the increasingly severe security environment surrounding the two countries. They affirmed that they would respectively advance domestic procedures to swiftly give effect to the Japan-Australia RAA. They also concurred that both governments will engage in robust efforts toward issuing the new Japan-Australia Joint Declaration on Security Cooperation, following the announcement made by both prime ministers last month.
- The two ministers also concurred on the importance of strengthening cooperation with allies and like-minded countries for peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region. They affirmed that they would strengthen bilateral coordination on other cooperative efforts including among Japan, Australia, India and the U.S. as well as among Japan, Australia and the U.S.
- The two ministers also affirmed to deepen coordination toward cooperation with Pacific Island countries. In this regard, Minister HAYASHI expressed his gratitude for Australia's cooperation rendered to the Japan Disaster Relief Team and Japan Self-Defense Forces upon assistance to Tonga, in response to the damages caused by the volcanic eruption and tsunami. They further affirmed to collaborate in supporting Tonga’s mid- to long-term reconstruction.
- The two ministers concurred that they would continue to work closely together to respond to regional affairs, such as responses to North Korea including the abductions issue, bearing in mind the discussions at the Japan-US-Australia-India Foreign Ministers' Meeting held the previous day.
- The two ministers discussed frankly on the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for the Trans-Pacific Partnership [TPP11] from a strategic perspective and shared the view to continue to work closely together, including upholding the fundamental values of TPP11. The two ministers also welcomed that the world's first liquefied hydrogen carrier set sail from Victoria, Australia to Japan. They concurred to continue to promote bilateral cooperation in economic areas, including cooperation on hydrogen projects.