THE prime ministers of Japan and Australia have agreed to deepen cooperation in a wide range of areas including energy security, defence and critical minerals as the Iran conflict threatens global supply chains.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi met her Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese at Australia’s Parliament House yesterday during Takaichi’s first visit to the country as national leader.
“The effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz had been inflicting enormous impact on the Indo-Pacific. We affirmed that Japan and Australia will closely communicate with each other in responding with a sense of urgency,” Takaichi told reporters through an interpreter.
Australia provides almost half of Japan’s liquefied natural gas.
Japan is one of Australia’s top five suppliers of refined gasoline and diesel.
Albanese travelled to Singapore, Brunei and Malaysia in recent weeks to shore up supplies of gasoline and diesel following disruptions caused by attacks on Iran by the United States and Israel beginning in February.
“For Australians, it will mean we are less vulnerable to global shocks like we are seeing right now because of conflict in the Middle East,” Albanese said on the bilateral agreements with Japan.
“Our joint statement on energy security reaffirms our commitment to navigate the current energy crisis together and maintain open trade flows of essential energy goods including liquid fuels and gas,” he said.
The prime ministers also announced new steps to enhance Japan-Australia defence and security cooperation.
Takaichi’s visit comes two weeks after the Japanese and Australian defence ministers signed contracts to deliver the first three of a A$10bil (RM39.7bil) fleet of Japanese-designed warships.
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries will build the first three Mogami-class frigates in Japan.
Australia plans to build another eight in a shipyard in Western Australia.
Albanese, a keen disc jockey who performs at charity events under the stage name DJ Albo, joked about Takaichi’s renowned interest in heavy metal music.
“Sanae and I will spend more time together later today and we will continue our discussions including on issues like heavy metal music and other important matters of state,” Albanese said. — AP
