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Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has told Prime Minister Anthony Albanese their two countries should “spearhead efforts” to create a free and open Indo-Pacific, in a veiled swipe at China’s increasingly assertive behaviour.
In a bilateral meeting that started with Takaichi rushing towards Albanese and declaring she was “very sorry” for running late, Japan’s first female leader made clear her intention to see Australia and Japan increase their strategic cooperation in the region.
“We would like to promote strategic cooperation with Australia, in addition to the existing Quad collaboration,” she said.
Her comments come as the Quad — made up of India, Japan, Australia and the United States — has come under a cloud since US President Donald Trump took office.
Takaichi is scheduled to meet with Trump later this week, prior to her inaugural meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
“I also hope that our two countries can spearhead efforts so that we can push a free and open Indo-Pacific,” Takaichi told Albanese on the sidelines of the ASEAN summit in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday.
“Japan and Australia both have the will and capacity to realise these aspirations.”
After congratulating Takaichi for winning office earlier this week, making her the first female Japanese prime minister in history, Albanese said both countries stood for “freedom in the Pacific and in our region”.
“Our recent decision to purchase the Mogami frigates just takes that defence and security relationship to another level,” he said.
Albanese said he was also looking forward to soon welcoming Takaichi to Australia, as part of the annual leaders’ dialogue.
