Press Releases
Japan-Australia Foreign Ministers’ Telephone Talk
Mr. MOTEGI Toshimitsu, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, held a telephone talk for approximately 30 minutes commencing at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday April 23, 2020, with Senator the Hon. Marise Payne, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Commonwealth of Australia. The overview is as follows.
1. Minister Motegi expressed his appreciation for the support provided by the Government of Australia upon Japanese nationals’ returning home from the Pacific island countries via Australia due to the circumstance of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). In response, Minister Payne expressed her deep appreciation for the generous support provided by the Government of Japan dealing with the cruise ship “Diamond Princess” and the return of Australian nationals transiting via Japan.
2. The Ministers shared the recognition that as the virus continues to spread worldwide, not only preventative measures by each country but also international cooperation on the novel coronavirus issue is critically important.
3. Further, recognizing the great challenge and importance of supporting the Pacific island region, as the Pacific island countries face difficult circumstances posed by the spread of the novel coronavirus infection and some countries were seriously damaged recently by Cyclone Harold, the Ministers confirmed Japan and Australia would work to provide support while maintaining close communication.
4. The Ministers shared the intention that Japan and Australia would cooperate closely with each other to overcome the unprecedented challenge of the novel coronavirus, while at the same time raising the "Special Strategic Partnership" to a higher level.