Japanese Foreign Minister to visit Australia
17 February 2010
Media release
The Japanese Foreign Minister, Mr Katsuya Okada, will visit Australia on Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 February.
This will be the first visit to Australia by a Minister of the recently-elected government of Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, and follows Prime Minister Rudd’s meetings with Prime Minister Hatoyama and Foreign Minister Okada in Tokyo on 15 December 2009.
I will meet Foreign Minister Okada on Sunday 21 February. We first met as counterparts in New York in September 2009, shortly after Prime Minister Hatoyama’s election.
Australia and Japan enjoy a comprehensive economic, security and strategic partnership.
Japan is Australia’s second-largest trading partner and export market and third-largest source of foreign investment. Despite the global financial crisis, Japanese investment into Australia continues to grow and supports many of our most important industries.
As well as being trading partners of long standing, Australia and Japan continue to build a strong relationship of cooperation on international political and security issues.
During our meeting, Foreign Minister Okada and I will discuss our bilateral strategic cooperation and our trilateral relationship with the United States, our Free Trade Agreement negotiations, our views on the future of regional institutions, and Asia-Pacific regional security.
We will also discuss global issues of common interest such as climate change, nuclear disarmament and United Nations reform.
Australia and Japan are actively working together on these issues.
This reflects the deep commitment of both countries to address those global challenges, including through the release in December of the report of the International Commission on Nuclear Non- proliferation and Disarmament, co-chaired by former Foreign Ministers of Australia and Japan.
Reflecting our close cooperation on global issues, Australia has long been a strong supporter of Japan’s aspirations to become a permanent member of the UN Security Council.
During our meeting, Foreign Minister Okada and I will also discuss whaling, including current diplomatic efforts both in the International Whaling Commission and bilaterally.
Media contacts
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