(Press Release: Provisional Translation)
July 8, 2026
Ministry of Defense Japan
On July 8 (local time), Minister Koizumi, who is visiting Türkiye to attend the NATO Ankara Summit, held a meeting with Hon Pat Conroy MP, Australian Minister for Defence Industry and Minister for the Pacific Islands Affairs.
- The Ministers confirmed their intention to further strengthen defence equipment and technology cooperation between Japan and Australia, based on the Leaders’ Statement on Enhanced Defence and Security Cooperation, issued on the occasion of the Japan–Australia Summit Meeting in May this year.
- The Ministers welcomed the Royal Australian Navy’s General Purpose Frigate Program’s steady progress. Minister Koizumi conveyed his intention to continue driving the program forward vigorously, in cooperation with Minister Conroy, who is leading efforts to strengthen Australia’s defence industry, considering the Mogami Memorandum signed by the Ministers of Defense of Japan and Australia in April this year. The Ministers shared this commitment.
- The Ministers exchanged views on the regional situation surrounding the Pacific Island countries and agreed to deepen cooperation through the respective initiatives led by Japan and Australia.