Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is due in Canberra for a three-day visit aimed at tightening defence, energy and economic-security ties with Australia at a time of sharper strategic competition across the Indo-Pacific.
Takaichi is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at Parliament House on Monday for the Australia–Japan Annual Leaders’ Meeting, her first visit to Australia since taking office in October. The trip follows talks in Vietnam, where Tokyo set out a broader regional strategy built around energy security, critical minerals, technology cooperation and more resilient supply chains.
The visit also coincides with the 50th anniversary of the Basic Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation, signed in Tokyo in 1976. That agreement helped shift the relationship from post-war reconciliation into one of the region’s most durable partnerships, now underpinned by defence exercises, energy trade, investment, education links and growing diplomatic alignment.
Canberra and Tokyo are expected to use the meeting to advance cooperation in defence industry, maritime security, cyber resilience, critical minerals and fuel supply. The agenda reflects a changing regional order in which both countries are seeking to reduce exposure to coercive trade practices, safeguard sea lanes and preserve freedom of navigation in the South China Sea and Taiwan Strait.
Energy security is likely to be one of the central issues. Australia remains a major supplier of liquefied natural gas, coal and minerals to Japan, while Japan has become important to Australia’s refined-fuel supply chains. Japan relies on Australia for a substantial share of its gas imports, while Australia’s fuel-security concerns have increased amid instability affecting global oil and shipping routes.
Takaichi’s visit follows diplomatic engagement by Foreign Minister Penny Wong in North Asia, where fuel, fertiliser and supply-chain security were among the issues under discussion. Canberra has sought assurances from key partners that energy flows will continue despite disruption risks linked to conflict in the Middle East and pressure on global maritime chokepoints.
Defence cooperation has expanded rapidly since the Australia–Japan Reciprocal Access Agreement entered into force in August 2023. The pact enables smoother deployment of defence personnel for training, exercises, disaster response and other operations. It has also deepened coordination with the United States, particularly through large-scale exercises such as Talisman Sabre and trilateral maritime activities.
Japan’s defence profile has changed markedly over the past decade. Tokyo has increased defence spending, revised key security documents and moved towards a more active role in regional deterrence. Australia has made similar adjustments, including a defence strategy focused on long-range strike, maritime denial and closer integration with allies and partners.
The proposed acquisition of Japanese Mogami-class frigates for Australia’s naval fleet has added a defence-industrial dimension to the relationship. The programme is being watched as a test of Japan’s ability to become a more significant defence exporter and of Australia’s willingness to diversify military procurement beyond its traditional suppliers.
Critical minerals are another priority. Japan wants dependable access to minerals used in batteries, advanced electronics, defence technologies and clean-energy systems. Australia has large reserves of lithium, rare earths and other strategic resources, while Japan brings processing expertise, capital and high-end manufacturing capabilities. Both governments view the sector as a way to reduce reliance on concentrated supply chains.
Takaichi’s stop in Vietnam before travelling to Australia underscored Tokyo’s wider strategy. Hanoi and Tokyo discussed energy, critical minerals, artificial intelligence, semiconductors, space technology and infrastructure. Japan is also seeking to strengthen links with Southeast Asian partners that can help diversify supply chains and provide alternatives to overdependence on China-centred manufacturing networks.
Australia and Japan already cooperate through the Quad with the United States and India, as well as through the G7 outreach process, ASEAN-led forums and wider Indo-Pacific initiatives. Their partnership has become increasingly important as middle powers seek to shape regional rules without forcing smaller states into binary choices between Washington and Beijing.
Trade remains a stabilising pillar of the relationship. The Japan–Australia Economic Partnership Agreement, which entered into force in 2015, remains one of Australia’s most heavily used bilateral trade agreements. Japan is a major investor in Australia, with interests spanning energy, resources, infrastructure, finance, food and technology.
Takaichi is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at Parliament House on Monday for the Australia–Japan Annual Leaders’ Meeting, her first visit to Australia since taking office in October. The trip follows talks in Vietnam, where Tokyo set out a broader regional strategy built around energy security, critical minerals, technology cooperation and more resilient supply chains.
The visit also coincides with the 50th anniversary of the Basic Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation, signed in Tokyo in 1976. That agreement helped shift the relationship from post-war reconciliation into one of the region’s most durable partnerships, now underpinned by defence exercises, energy trade, investment, education links and growing diplomatic alignment.
Canberra and Tokyo are expected to use the meeting to advance cooperation in defence industry, maritime security, cyber resilience, critical minerals and fuel supply. The agenda reflects a changing regional order in which both countries are seeking to reduce exposure to coercive trade practices, safeguard sea lanes and preserve freedom of navigation in the South China Sea and Taiwan Strait.
Energy security is likely to be one of the central issues. Australia remains a major supplier of liquefied natural gas, coal and minerals to Japan, while Japan has become important to Australia’s refined-fuel supply chains. Japan relies on Australia for a substantial share of its gas imports, while Australia’s fuel-security concerns have increased amid instability affecting global oil and shipping routes.
Takaichi’s visit follows diplomatic engagement by Foreign Minister Penny Wong in North Asia, where fuel, fertiliser and supply-chain security were among the issues under discussion. Canberra has sought assurances from key partners that energy flows will continue despite disruption risks linked to conflict in the Middle East and pressure on global maritime chokepoints.
Defence cooperation has expanded rapidly since the Australia–Japan Reciprocal Access Agreement entered into force in August 2023. The pact enables smoother deployment of defence personnel for training, exercises, disaster response and other operations. It has also deepened coordination with the United States, particularly through large-scale exercises such as Talisman Sabre and trilateral maritime activities.
Japan’s defence profile has changed markedly over the past decade. Tokyo has increased defence spending, revised key security documents and moved towards a more active role in regional deterrence. Australia has made similar adjustments, including a defence strategy focused on long-range strike, maritime denial and closer integration with allies and partners.
The proposed acquisition of Japanese Mogami-class frigates for Australia’s naval fleet has added a defence-industrial dimension to the relationship. The programme is being watched as a test of Japan’s ability to become a more significant defence exporter and of Australia’s willingness to diversify military procurement beyond its traditional suppliers.
Critical minerals are another priority. Japan wants dependable access to minerals used in batteries, advanced electronics, defence technologies and clean-energy systems. Australia has large reserves of lithium, rare earths and other strategic resources, while Japan brings processing expertise, capital and high-end manufacturing capabilities. Both governments view the sector as a way to reduce reliance on concentrated supply chains.
Takaichi’s stop in Vietnam before travelling to Australia underscored Tokyo’s wider strategy. Hanoi and Tokyo discussed energy, critical minerals, artificial intelligence, semiconductors, space technology and infrastructure. Japan is also seeking to strengthen links with Southeast Asian partners that can help diversify supply chains and provide alternatives to overdependence on China-centred manufacturing networks.
Australia and Japan already cooperate through the Quad with the United States and India, as well as through the G7 outreach process, ASEAN-led forums and wider Indo-Pacific initiatives. Their partnership has become increasingly important as middle powers seek to shape regional rules without forcing smaller states into binary choices between Washington and Beijing.
Trade remains a stabilising pillar of the relationship. The Japan–Australia Economic Partnership Agreement, which entered into force in 2015, remains one of Australia’s most heavily used bilateral trade agreements. Japan is a major investor in Australia, with interests spanning energy, resources, infrastructure, finance, food and technology.
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