Japan, Australia Ink Joint Declaration on Economic Security

Japan-Australia Leaders’ Meeting and Signing Ceremony

On May 4, commencing at 11:15 a.m. local time (10:15 a.m. on May 4 Japan time) for approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes, Ms. TAKAICHI Sanae, Prime Minister of Japan, who is visiting Canberra, Australia, held a leaders’ meeting with the Hon. Anthony Albanese, MP, Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Australia. Following the meeting, the two leaders attended a signing ceremony for the “Japan-Australia Joint Declaration on Economic Security Cooperation”. The beginning part of the leaders’ meeting was held as a small group meeting for about 30 minutes.

1. Opening remarks

1. At the outset, Prime Minister Albanese welcomed Prime Minister TAKAICHI’s visit to Australia and stated that he would like to cooperate to further strengthen relations between Japan and Australia in a wide range of fields, including defense and security, economy and trade, including energy and critical minerals, and people-to-people exchanges. Also, Prime Minister Albanese stated that he would like to elevate the “Special Strategic Partnership” between the two countries to a higher level, and work together to contribute to regional peace and prosperity. 　
2. In response, Prime Minister TAKAICHI stated that, as this year marks the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Basic Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation between Japan and Australia, the two countries have deepened their cooperation as the central pillar of collaboration among like-minded countries and as a stabilizing power in the region. Prime Minisiter TAKAICHI also stated that, as the international situation becomes increasingly severe and complex, under the vision of the updated “Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)”, which was announced the day before yesterday, Japan and Australia would take the lead in promoting peace and stability in the region. 　
3. The two leaders concurred on elevating Japan-Australia relations to a new level towards the next 50 years.

2. Bilateral relations

1. With regard to economic security, the two leaders welcomed the “Japan-Australia Joint Declaration on Economic Security Cooperation” signed this time and the two joint statements on critical minerals and energy security issued thereunder, and confirmed that the both countries would further advance concrete bilateral cooperation based on these documents. 　
2. The two leaders shared strong concerns regarding export restrictions on critical minerals and other materials that could have a significant negative impact on global supply chains, and confirmed that they would work together in order to strengthen “autonomy” and “resilience” such as strengthening supply chains of critical minerals and ensuring stable two-way energy supplies, including within the framework of the “Partnership On Wide Energy and Resources Resilience (POWERR Asia).” 　
3. With regard to the security field, the two leaders instructed ministers to explore tangible ways to further elevate and institutionalise our comprehensive security cooperation ahead of the leaders’ next reciprocal visit and concurred on further enhancing defense cooperation that leverages Australia’s geographical characteristics. 　
4. The two leaders welcomed the issuance of the “Leaders Statement on Enhanced Defence and Security Cooperation”, 　
5. The two leaders also concurred on launching a “Japan-Australia Strategic Cyber Partnership” to further deepen cooperation in the field of cybersecurity. 　
6. In addition, the two leaders concurred on launching the “Japan-Australia Leadership Dialogue,” under which members from the political, government, business, and academic sectors of both countries will make policy recommendations on a wide range of Japan-Australia cooperations and discuss the future vision for the bilateral relationship. 　
7. Furthermore, Prime Minister TAKAICHI stated that Japan and Australia have built a relationship as front runners in cooperation among like-minded countries by advancing pioneering security cooperation, reaching a level that could even be described as ‘quasi-allies.’

3. Regional and international affairs

1. With regard to the current situation in the Middle East, including the situation concerning Iran, the two leaders confirmed the importance of ensuring free and safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, and concurred on continuing close communication toward ensuring the stable supply of critical materials and the early de-escalation of the situation.
2. The two leaders also concurred that Japan and Australia would lead the realization and strategic update of a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)”, and would further strengthen cooperation among like-minded partners such as the Japan-Australia-India-U.S. (Quad), Japan-U.S.-Australia, and Japan-Australia-New Zealand-Republic of Korea (IP4) frameworks.
3. The two leaders exchanged views on the situation in East Asia such as the issues related to China and their policies toward North Korea including on the nuclear and missile issues and the abductions issue, and on strengthening relations with Southeast Asia and the Pacific island countries, and concurred that the two countries would work together.

: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan