From left: Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Richard Marles, Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya, and Defense Minister Gen Nakatani join hands after a joint press conference in Tokyo on September 5. (©pool photo)
On September 5, Japan and Australia committed to expanding their security cooperation, releasing a joint statement that emphasized their shared resolve to counter mutual risks and to uphold the vision of a "free and open Indo-Pacific."
The 2+2 ministerial talks, now in their 12th iteration, brought together Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya and Defense Minister Gen Nakatani with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Defense Minister Richard Marles.
Meeting in Tokyo, the officials pledged to oppose "any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion" in the East and South China Seas. They further reaffirmed that peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait remain essential to regional and international security.
Alluding to the increasingly challenging strategic environment in the Indo-Pacific, Iwaya said at a joint press conference, "Our security cooperation is now broader and stronger than ever before."
Wong stated that Australia and Japan "share a vision of a peaceful, stable, and prosperous region where the sovereignty of all countries is respected."
Responding to Common Threats
The joint statement also condemned North Korea's nuclear and missile programs and its growing military ties with Russia, while reiterating support for the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.
In concrete terms, the two governments agreed to expand their 2022 Reciprocal Access Agreement to conduct more sophisticated joint drills between the Japan Self-Defense Forces and the Australian military.
They also vowed to strengthen cooperation in economic security, particularly in critical minerals and energy supply chains.
Highlighting a deepening defense industrial partnership, the ministers noted Canberra's recent selection of upgraded Mogami-class frigates as the model for Australia's next-generation warships.
The latest deal is expected to bolster Australia's naval capabilities and revitalize its aging surface combatant fleets.
Broadening Security Partnership
The two sides also welcomed progress in collaborating under AUKUS Pillar II, particularly in advanced capability projects such as experimentation with maritime autonomous systems.
While Japan is not a formal member of the pact, it has engaged closely in Pillar II initiatives in recent years amid growing maritime tensions.
Speaking at a separate press conference after the talks on Friday, Marles said, "Japan participated in the Maritime Big Play, which was an activity that occurred in the context of Talisman Sabre 25."
"We continue to look to areas where we can cooperate with Japan under the banner of AUKUS or more generally in terms of industrial collaboration, but also innovation," he added.
The two countries also signed a memorandum of cooperation to assist evacuating their nationals from third countries in times of crisis — a step Japan has so far only taken with South Korea.
RELATED:
- Japan Secures Landmark Frigate Deal with Australia in Export Breakthrough
- Quad, EU Should Support Australia for Standing Up to China
Author: Kenji Yoshida
