(attachment 2) Japan-Australia Defense Ministerial Meeting (Summary)

October 23, 2017
Ministry of Defense

On 23 October 2017, Defense Minister Onodera conducted the Japan-Australia Defense Ministerial Meeting with Defence Minister Marise Payne on the sideline of the 4th ADMM-Plus Meeting held in the Philippines.

1. Introduction

The two Ministers welcomed the opportunity for their first Ministerial Meeting in person. They looked forward to frankly exchanging views to further deepen bilateral defense cooperation based on the "Special Strategic Partnership."

2. Regional Overview

The two Ministers exchanged views on situations surrounding North Korea and South China Sea. The two Ministers strongly condemned the nuclear test conducted by North Korea in September and a series of ballistic missile launches. They agreed to closely work together in order to deter its repeated and excessively provocative actions. With regard to the situation surrounding South China Sea, the two Ministers also agreed that Japan, Australia and the U.S. secure the presence in the region and strengthen cooperation with countries in the region through capacity building, joint exercises and various defense cooperation activities.

3. Japan-Australia Defense Cooperation

The two Ministers welcomed the deepening of the bilateral defense cooperation in broad areas including joint exercise, capacity building, defense equipment and technology, and agreed to more firmly develop our bilateral defense cooperation. They agreed to continue to work together on an agreement to mutually improve various procedures to facilitate joint activities between Japan and Australia. The two Ministers also agreed to continue to strengthen trilateral defense cooperation among Japan, Australia and the US.