Media Release
FA160 - 4 November 2002
Second Australia Japan Conference
I will deliver the keynote address at the second Australia-Japan
Conference which will be held in Tokyo from 7 to 8 November. This
conference follows the successful hosting of the first Australia-Japan
Conference in Sydney in April 2001.
Australia and Japan are strong regional partners and share a close,
broadly-based friendship. The second Australia-Japan Conference for
a Creative Partnership, one of the major events on the Australia-Japan
2002 calendar, is an important opportunity to further broaden and
strengthen these ties.
This year's conference will focus on four themes: political and
strategic issues, economic issues, e-learning as a means of education
and exchange, and science and technology for the aging society. Eminent
Australian and Japanese participants, drawn from political, business,
academic and community fields, will discuss a range of topics under
each of these themes, with the aim of identifying key recommendations
on cooperative action for the mutual benefit of our two countries.
Leading business figures, Mr Jerry Ellis and Mr Minoru Murofushi,
will co-chair the conference.
The Tokyo conference aims to build on the significant outcomes of
last year's inaugural conference in Sydney. That conference produced
a number of innovative and forward-looking recommendations on economic,
scientific, strategic and cultural issues that have since been translated
into important actions to move the relationship forward, often into
new areas of cooperation.
Our relationship has continued to grow through enhanced high-level
political dialogue, evidenced by visits to Japan by the Prime Minister
and other Ministers, and Prime Minister Koizumi's visit to Australia
in May this year. We have also improved strategic cooperation, including
the establishment of a 1.5-track security dialogue process comprising
academics and officials in their private capacity. We have commenced
consultations to explore options for deeper economic linkages and
we have convened the inaugural Japan-Australia Higher Education Forum.
The second Australia-Japan conference is a tangible demonstration
of our two countries' continued commitment to a productive partnership
across a range of issues, based on shared interests in the promotion
of democracy, regional stability and prosperity. I look forward to
the conference outcomes as vital contributors to our ongoing efforts
to keep our relationship strong, relevant and vigorous well into the
new century.
Media inquiries: Chris Kenny (Ministerial) +61 02 6277 7500 / Lyndall Sachs
(Departmental) 02 6261 1555
Local Date:
Wednesday, 22-May-2013 01:37:17 EST
