June 12, 2022
Japan Ministry of Defense
On June 12, 2022, Defense Minister KISHI, who was visiting Singapore to attend the IISS Asia Security Conference (Shangri-La Dialogue), held a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence of Australia, Richard Marles. The summary of the meeting is as follows:
- At the outset, Minister Kishi congratulated Minister Marles for his appointment and Minister Marles expressed his gratitude.
- The Ministers agreed to deepen discussions on Japan-Australia defence cooperation and continue to work together towards even stronger cooperation including the efforts towards the entry into force of the Japan-Australia Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA). The Ministers confirmed that their defence authorities would stay in close communication and continue to promote robust bilateral defence cooperation and exchanges in order for that to make more proactive contribution to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
-
The Ministers exchanged views on the regional situation and reaffirmed their continued close cooperation amid Russia’s aggression against Ukraine which undermines the foundations of the international order. Regarding the situation in the East China Sea and the South China Sea, the ministers expressed their will to strongly oppose any attempt to unilaterally change the status quo by coercion and any action to increase tensions.
-
The Ministers expressed their intention to proactively work on trilateral defence cooperation and exchanges with the United States, Alliance partner for both Japan and Australia, to uphold and reinforce the Free and Open Indo-Pacific. Also, the Ministers agreed to further promote cooperation with regional partners including the Pacific Island countries.
