“As like-minded democracies, we are natural partners with shared interests,” said PM Morrison on virtual leaders’ meeting with the Prime Minister of Japan

Strengthening Australia-Japan ties, Scott Morrison joined the Prime Minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe, in a Virtual Leaders’ Meeting on 9 July 2020.

 Japan is Australia’s  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,” Morrison said.

The meeting focused to reaffirm the importance of Australia’s Special Strategic Partnership in a time of global economic and strategic uncertainty

 Prime Minister Abe and Morrison discussed their shared experiences in responding to the COVID-19 crisis and ways to work together, with other regional partners, to help ensure an open, inclusive and prosperous Indo-Pacific.

 Matters relating to coordinate  assistance in the Pacific and Southeast Asia to strengthen health systems, and promote economic resilience and recovery were also discussed.  Opportunities to further deepen Australia-Japan’s defence and security ties were also some of the highlights of the meet.