Summit Meeting Between Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and Prime Minister John Winston Howard of Australia
(Summary)

1 May 2002

On 1 May, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi met with Prime Minister John Winston Howard of Australia from 08:20 for about one hour and twenty minutes (40 minutes for a small meeting, and 40 minutes for a larger meeting). The following are summaries of the two meetings.

1. Small Meeting

(1) Overall Japan-Australia Relations: Prime Minister Koizumi stated that Japan-Australia relations were very good and moving in a positive direction. He further remarked that he was seeking to construct a Creative Partnership between Japan and Australia, as both countries share similar values. In response, Prime Minister Howard stated that he would also like to further strengthen the close bilateral relations between the two countries in the areas of economic and regional security aspects.

(2) East Asia: Prime Minister Koizumi praised the role that Australia has played in East Timor, stating that he would like to consider along with Australia the modalities for cooperation in East Timor. The Prime Minister also stated that domestic understanding was deepening in relation to the contributions the Self-Defense Forces (SDF) were making in Peacekeeping Operations (PKO). In response, Prime Minister Howard stated that he understood the role Japan was playing in regional security and greatly welcomed the contribution Japan was making in East Timor.

(3) North Korea: Prime Minister Koizumi stated that Japan, the Republic of Korea and the United States of America were cooperating closely to ensure stability on the Korea Peninsula, and that he would also like to cooperate in this regard with Australia, which has diplomatic relations with North Korea. In response, Prime Minister Howard stated that he would be pleased to offer such cooperation.

(4) Japan-Australia Economic Partnership: Prime Minister Koizumi stated that it was important for each country to enhance their economic partnership step-by-step, and that although Japan and Australia were not yet at the stage of beginning specific negotiations, he would like to further expand the very favorable economic relations the two countries currently enjoy. In response, Prime Minister Howard stated that he welcomed the speech made by Prime Minister Koizumi in Singapore, which touched on the topic of an economic partnership with Australia, and added that he too agreed with following a step-by-step approach. He proposed the creation of a mechanism to have consultations at the senior working level, to which Prime Minister Koizumi agreed.

(5) Kyoto Protocol: Prime Minister Howard stated that it was important for both the United States and developing countries to join the Kyoto Protocol. Prime Minister Koizumi responded by saying he expected Australia's participation in the Kyoto Protocol and that it would be necessary for Japan and Australia to bilaterally coordinate on this issue.

2. Larger Meeting

This meeting followed a format in which Prime Minister Koizumi responded to statements made by Ministers of the Government of Australia.

(1) Japan-Australia Economic Situation: Treasurer of the Commonwealth of Australia Peter Costello explained the economic situation in Australia, and stated that he was hoping for a return to sustainable economic growth in Japan. In response, Prime Minister Koizumi praised the strong leadership of Prime Minister Howard in facilitating the development of a robust Australian economy. The Prime Minister Koizumi stated that his resolve toward structural reform had not changed at all and that current reforms were underway and results were already beginning to appear.

(2) Overall Japan-Australia Relations: Minister for Foreign Affairs Alexander Downer stated that while there were some differences in position, such as the issue of whaling, Japan-Australia relations were generally very favorable. He added that there was great value in ambitiously aiming to further strengthen Japan-Australia cooperative relations, that he strongly supported Prime Minister Koizumi's speech in Singapore and that Australia would cooperate to the fullest extent toward achieving the Prime Minister's vision. In response, Prime Minister Koizumi stated that based on the epoch-making results of the Australia-Japan Conference for the 21st Century held in April, he would like to create deeper relations in all political, economic and cultural aspects.

(3) Defense Cooperation: Minister for Defence Robert Hill stated that Japan-Australia defense cooperation was proceeding in a positive direction, to which Prime Minister Koizumi responded that he wanted to collaborate with Australia on an assigned division of roles.

(4) Japan-Australia Economic Relations: Minister for Trade Mark Vaile stated that it was important to further enhance bilateral relations. In response, Prime Minister Koizumi noted that cooperation should proceed step-by-step at the ministerial and working level.

3. Joint Press Statement

Based on the results of the Summit Meeting, the two sides announced a Joint Press Statement entitled the Australia-Japan Creative Partnership.