Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is scheduled to arrive in Canberra late Sunday local time for a three-day visit to Australia as Tokyo and Canberra expand defence and economic ties in the Asia-Pacific [1].
The visit will focus on defence, critical minerals and economic security, areas where the two governments have moved closer as regional security and trade conditions shift [1]. Japan is taking a more assertive military stance and building partnerships with regional countries including Australia and Vietnam [1].
Japan and Australia already conduct frequent joint exercises and share technology, while Canberra has agreed to buy Japanese naval vessels in a multibillion-dollar deal that Tokyo sees as a possible export foundation [1]. Japan’s Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said on May 3 that the security environment in the Asia-Pacific is becoming more severe. He said Japan and Australia should expand cooperation on frigates, unstaffed systems, cyber, space and joint defence equipment production [1].
Koizumi also said the two countries need to work together and pool their wisdom to help regional peace and stability more than at any point in the past 50 years [1].
The deeper security ties come as Japan prepares to deploy 1,400 troops for joint combat exercises in the Philippines with Australian and US forces. The drills will be the first time armed Japanese troops have taken part in such exercises since World War Two [1].
