I welcome the passage of Japan’s security reform legislation through the Japanese

Parliament today.

These reforms will allow Japan to make a greater contribution to international peace

and stability, including by exercising its UN Charter right to collective self-defence.

Enhanced security cooperation with Japan is a priority for Australia. These reforms

will make it easier for us to work with Japan overseas on peacekeeping operations,

and humanitarian and disaster relief.

Japan has been an exemplary contributor to peace and stability for seventy years. As

Prime Minister Turnbull and Prime Minister Abe confirmed in their telephone

conversation yesterday, Australia fully supports reforms that increase Japan’s role in

our shared interests in regional and international peace and security.