Japan and ‘Special Strategic Partner’ Australia Forge Stronger Alliance

Japan’s military has agreed to create a framework for protecting Australian Defence Force assets as the two countries forge stronger bilateral ties amid rising tensions in the Indo-Pacific. On October 19, Japan’s Defence Minister Nobuo Kishi announced the transition in a joint statement with Australian Defence Minister Linda Reynolds, who visited Tokyo for bilateral discussions with her counterpart. Kishi said: “Australia is our ‘Special Strategic Partner’ in the region and Japan Ministry of Defense, and Self-Defense Forces are going to deepen our bilateral defence cooperation and exchanges to uphold and reinforce the Free and Open Indo-Pacific.” Reynolds concurred with Kishi saying: “Japan and Australia share a vision for a region that is open, that is inclusive, and one where the sovereignty, and the rights of all states, large and small, are respected.” She added: “Australia and Japan are working together to enhance our defence partnerships right across Southeast Asia and the Pacific. I am so proud to be standing next to Kishi-san at the beginning of our productive and important working relationship for both our nations.”