During his visit to Australia, Defence Minister Minoru Kihara held talks with Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Marles near Melbourne on 4 Sep. They agreed to cooperate on a ‘counterattack capability’ to strike enemy missile launch sites, which Japan has decided to possess, and Australia’s long-range precision strike capability. They will explore the use of missile launch sites in Australia.
They confirmed that they would further enhance interoperability in light of the increasing number of joint exercises between the ADF and the Australian military.Japan and Australia, together with the US military, plan to conduct joint training exercises for the F-35 fighter aircraft in Japan and the US in 2025 and in Australia in 2026.
They agreed to strengthen their response to ‘attempts to unilaterally change the status quo by force’ in light of China’s increasing military activities, including incursions into Japanese airspace.After the meeting, Kihara stressed to reporters that “we strongly shared our concern and interest in China’s military activities”.
They also confirmed that Australia and Japan would promote cooperation with like-minded countries to realise a ‘free and open Indo-Pacific’.
On 4 Sep, Mr Kihara also visited the Cenotaph in Sydney for former Japanese, Australian and British servicemen who died in World War II and offered flowers.
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During his visit to Australia, Defence Minister Minoru Kihara held talks with Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Marles near Melbourne on 4 Sep. They agreed to cooperate on a ‘counterattack capability’ to strike enemy missile launch sites, which Japan has decided to possess, and Australia’s long-range precision strike capability. They will explore the use of missile launch sites in Australia.
They confirmed that they would further enhance interoperability in light of the increasing number of joint exercises between the ADF and the Australian military.Japan and Australia, together with the US military, plan to conduct joint training exercises for the F-35 fighter aircraft in Japan and the US in 2025 and in Australia in 2026.
They agreed to strengthen their response to ‘attempts to unilaterally change the status quo by force’ in light of China’s increasing military activities, including incursions into Japanese airspace.After the meeting, Kihara stressed to reporters that “we strongly shared our concern and interest in China’s military activities”.
They also confirmed that Australia and Japan would promote cooperation with like-minded countries to realise a ‘free and open Indo-Pacific’.
On 4 Sep, Mr Kihara also visited the Cenotaph in Sydney for former Japanese, Australian and British servicemen who died in World War II and offered flowers.
Further information can see [here](https://www.mofa.go.jp/a_o/ocn/au/pageite_000001_00553.html)