Japan and Australia pledge closer security ties to counter Indo-Pacific risks

Australia and Japan announced on Friday that they would step up cooperation to confront rising security challenges in the Indo-Pacific, including working together on the evacuation of citizens facing risks abroad.

“We agreed to further reinforce our joint deterrence capabilities and to begin discussions on possible contingencies that could affect the security of both our nations and the wider region,” said Japan’s Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya.

His remarks followed a meeting in Tokyo attended by Japanese Defence Minister Gen Nakatani alongside Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Defence Minister Richard Marles.

As China’s regional influence grows, Japan and Australia—both close allies of the United States—are strengthening their ties through joint military training and a reciprocal access agreement signed in 2023 that enables their forces to operate on each other’s territory.

The two countries are also part of the Quad grouping with the United States and India.

Last month, Japan secured a landmark A$10 billion ($6.5 billion) contract to build warships for Australia, its most significant defence export since lifting its ban on military sales in 2014.

Nakatani added that Tokyo is looking to expand defence industry collaboration in areas such as advanced unmanned systems.

For her part, Wong said Canberra wanted to broaden economic cooperation beyond energy, particularly liquefied natural gas, and focus on “economic security in the area of critical minerals,” which she described as a priority.

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