The governments of Japan and Australia held a 2+2 meeting of foreign and defense ministers in Tokyo on the 5th and issued a joint statement stating cooperation in the foreign and defense sectors. In September last year, the two countries held a 2+2 meeting of foreign and defense ministers in Australia.
The two countries are strengthening cooperation to the level of ‘quasi-dong allies’ in response to China, which is escalating its offensive in East China Sea and the South China Sea.
Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya and Defense Minister Ken Nakatani attended on the Japanese side, and Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Richard Marles attended on the Australian side. “Australia is a special strategic partner that should strengthen security and defense cooperation, and the two countries are at the heart of cooperation between their allies,” Foreign Minister Iwaya said at the meeting. “The two countries have the will and ability to play a leading role in realizing the free and open Indo-Pacific,” he said. In response, Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Marles responded by saying that “a very high level of trust relationship has been established” between the two countries.
Foreign Minister Iwaya also mentioned, “We are facing serious challenges,” keeping in mind China, which is raising the level of the maritime offensive.
Prior to the 2+2 meeting, Foreign Minister Wong and Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Maals visited the Prime Minister’s residence and met with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba.
[Reporter Shin Yoonjae]
AloJapan.com