Japan-Australia Defense Ministers’ Teleconference

(Press Release)

February 17, 2022
Japan Ministry of Defense

Japan-Australia Defense Ministers’ Teleconference

  

 

 On February17, 2022, commencing at 1600 for approximately 30 minutes, Minister KISHI held a teleconference with Australia’s Minister for Defence the Hon Peter DUTTON MP.

1 At the outset of the meeting, Minister Kishi extended his gratitude to Minister Dutton for Australia’s extensive support to JSDF’s international disaster relief activities in Kingdom of Tonga, including receiving JSDF transport aircraft.

2  In addition, Minister Kishi thanked Minister Dutton for Australian representative’s participation in the Japan Pacific Islands Defense Dialogue (JPIDD) and for Australia’s support during Japan’s pursuit of observership to the South Pacific Defence Ministers’ Meeting (SPDMM).

3 The Ministers welcomed the signing of the Japan-Australia Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) at the Australia-Japan Leaders Meeting on January 6 and concurred to elevate the two countries’ bilateral security and defence cooperation to a new level by smoothly conducting larger scale and more complex activities including joint exercises and disaster relief.

4 Furthermore, the Ministers exchanged their opinions on the situation in Ukraine and shared the view that it is an issue that affect not only the region, but also the international community as a whole, and one that cannot be overlooked by Australia and Japan as they work together to uphold and reinforce a free and open Indo-Pacific.