VIRTUAL LEADERS’ MEETING WITH THE PRIME MINISTER OF JAPAN

I am pleased to announce that I will be joining the Prime Minister of Japan, His Excellency Abe Shinzo, for a Virtual Leaders’ Meeting on 9 July 2020.

 

The meeting will build on and reaffirm the importance of our Special Strategic Partnership in a time of global economic and strategic uncertainty. The meeting presents a timely opportunity to reaffirm the shared principles, values and global outlook that reinforce one of Australia’s closest regional partnerships.

 

The meeting will also help to lay the foundations for my rescheduled visit to Japan as soon as circumstances allow.

 

Prime Minister Abe and I will discuss our shared experiences in responding to the COVID-19 crisis and ways we can work together, with other regional partners, to help ensure an open, inclusive and prosperous Indo-Pacific.  We will discuss ways to coordinate our assistance in the Pacific and Southeast Asia to strengthen health systems, and promote economic resilience and recovery.  I also look forward to discussing with Prime Minister Abe opportunities to further deepen our defence and security ties.

 

Japan is our second largest two-way trading partner and second largest source of foreign direct investment. The Japan-Australia Economic Partnership Agreement binds our close business ties and complementary economies. As like-minded democracies, we are natural partners with shared interests underpinned by open markets and the rule of law.