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Prime Ministers Scott Morrison and Fumio Kishida signed the Reciprocal Access Agreement today, ensuring "Australia's Defence Forces and Japanese forces can act and operate together seamlessly."
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Prime Ministers Scott Morrison and Fumio Kishida have signed the Reciprocal Access Agreement in a virtual meeting today, with the RAA scheduled to deepen the military ties between the two nations via greater defence and security cooperation.
"Prime Minister [Fumio Kishida], today we demonstrate the strength of our bonds as we sign our Reciprocal Access Agreement, the first of its kind for Japan," Prime Minister Scott Morrison said during the signing ceremony.
"The RAA is a landmark treaty which opens a new chapter for advanced defence and security cooperation, in what is a complex and rapidly changing world, something you and I both understand very well."
The agreement is designed to support the ongoing challenges faced by both Australia and Japan in the Indo-Pacific and ensure the preservation of the international rules-based order.
The Prime Minister's Office has confirmed that the Australia-Japan RAA will result in further joint military exercises, humanitarian assistance missions and maritime domain awareness.
"The Australia-Japan RAA will establish standing arrangements for the Australian Defence Force and the Japan Self-Defense Forces to facilitate cooperative activities such as joint exercises and disaster relief operations, including those of greater scale and complexity, while improving the interoperability and capability of the two countries’ forces," a release from the Prime Minister's Office read.
"The two leaders confirmed the importance of promoting cooperation between the Japan Coast Guard and Australia’s Department of Home Affairs, including to facilitate information-sharing and cooperation on maritime domain awareness."
Throughout the meeting, the leaders also discussed a raft of other measures including kick-starting the hydrogen energy industry with $150 million government in government investments.
"And today I’m delighted to announce a $150 million AUD investment in clean hydrogen energy supply chain projects under the Japan-Australia Partnership on Decarbonisation through Technology," PM Scott Morrison continued.
"This will accelerate the development of an Australian export hydrogen industry which can be a supplier of choice for Japan and the region."
The meeting between the two was scheduled to take place in person, however, was moved online due to growth in Australia’s COVID cases.
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