Press Releases
Japan-Australia Foreign Ministers’ Telephone Talk
On September 17, commencing at after 4:00 p.m. for approximately 20 minutes, Mr. MOTEGI Toshimitsu, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, held a telephone talk with Senator the Hon. Marise Payne, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Commonwealth of Australia. The overview is as follows.
1. Foreign Minister Payne began by congratulating Minister MOTEGI on his reappointment as Foreign Minister. Minister MOTEGI responded, saying, "We spoke by phone in June, and I am delighted to be able to work with you again now; yours is the first call I have had since reappointment. Looking ahead to the post-COVID-19 era, the determination that Japan and Australia should play a leading role in a wide range of fields in the Indo-Pacific region will remain unchanged under Prime Minister SUGA’s administration.” In response, Foreign Minister Payne said she was pleased to continue working together on bilateral relations and for a free and open Indo-Pacific.
2. Foreign Minister Payne expressed gratitude for the Japan Coast Guard’s extensive search and rescue efforts in connection with the tragic accident of the livestock transport vessel "Gulf Livestock 1," which was carrying two Australian crew members. In response, Minister MOTEGI said the accident was heartbreaking and that the Japan Coast Guard was continuing its search activities, adding that the Japanese government would continue to cooperate however possible.
3. The two ministers agreed to continue to work together on the challenges facing the Indo-Pacific region and the international community as a whole.