Reaffirming that the strategic partnership between Japan and Australia is based on democratic values, a commitment to human rights, freedom and the rule of law, as well as common security interests, mutual respect, trust and deep friendship, “I announce here that we have agreed on a negotiated reciprocal access agreement for security and defence cooperation between the Japan and Australia are on a new level,” Suga said at a joint press conference. Japan and Australia will deepen and strengthen bilateral cooperation in the fields of security and defence cooperation to enhance the effectiveness of their joint contribution to regional and international peace and security, as well as human security. The only other such agreement that Japan has with any other country is with the United States 60 years ago. Reaffirming their common goal in cooperation and with other countries through forums such as the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), the ASEAN Regional Forum (AAF) and the East Asia Summit (EAS) to achieve the goal of a prosperous, open and secure Asia-Pacific region, and recognizing that the strengthening of bilateral security cooperation will contribute significantly in this regard, But in a sign of thawing relations, China`s Foreign Ministry gave only a muted response to last week`s news that Suga had received a pledge from President-elect Joe Biden that the United States was required to defend the islands under the countries` bilateral security treaty. If there`s one benefit to a fear caused by Scott Morrison`s bleak security prospects in our region, it`s that it will buy time. Within the framework of the above-mentioned cooperation, Japan and Australia will strengthen, as appropriate, practical cooperation between their respective defence forces and other security-related authorities, including by: the text of the agreement is now to be finalised, with Morrison Suga inviting to formally sign in Australia next year. Defense officials believe the deal will help facilitate cooperation between the two countries, including in the increasingly disputed waters of the South China Sea and the East China Sea. Morrison invited Mr Suga to visit Australia next year to officially sign the agreement. Since the announcement of the Japan-Australia Joint Declaration on Security Cooperation in March 2007, security cooperation between Japan and Australia has grown rapidly. In April 2014, the heads of state or government of the two countries agreed to train their security cooperation in a “special strategic partnership” and also signed the agreement on the transfer of defence equipment and technology. .

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