Japan, Australia Confirm Military Asset Protection Framework

Tokyo, June 9 (Jiji Press)--Japan and Australia on Wednesday confirmed that a framework has been created for the Japanese Self-Defense Forces to protect Australian military assets, such as warships and aircraft. In an online "two-plus-two" meeting of their foreign and defense ministers, the two countries also underlined the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and agreed to encourage the peaceful resolution of cross-strait issues. In a joint statement issued after the meeting, Japan and Australia referred to Taiwan. It was their first two-plus-two statement to make such a mention. In the day's meeting, the two countries also confirmed a policy of working together to realize a free and open Indo-Pacific region. The two sides affirmed their opposition to China's unilateral attempts to change the status quo in the East and South China seas and shared serious concerns over human rights situations in China's Xinjiang Uighur autonomous region. The ministers agreed to urge North Korea to abandon its nuclear and missile development programs in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner. They also discussed ways to strengthen bilateral defense cooperation, agreeing to work together in the fields of economic security, space and cyberspace. The two countries agreed to accelerate talks so that they can soon sign a Reciprocal Access Agreement, which will set a legal framework for mutual visits by SDF and Australian military personnel. Protection of foreign military assets is an SDF mission enabled by Japan's national security legislation implemented in 2016. Currently, Japan conducts such a mission for the U.S. military. The military asset protection framework "will be a foundation on which the SDF and the Australian military enhance their interoperability and promote cooperation under normal circumstances," Japanese Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi told reporters after the day's meeting. It was the ninth two-plus-two meeting between Japan and Australia and first since October 2018. Besides Kishi, Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi attended the day's meeting. Australian participants were Foreign Minister Marise Payne and Defense Minister Peter Dutton. END