Australia welcomes the announcement on 27 April 2015 by the United States and Japan of new Defence Cooperation Guidelines.
Defence cooperation between Japan and the United States has made a positive contribution to security and prosperity in our region for decades.
The new Guidelines recognise Japan’s growing contribution to promoting a peaceful and stable international security environment, and reflect the changing nature of defence engagement to include cyber, space and global cooperation.
In particular, I (Minister for Defence: Kevin Andrews) welcome the United States and Japan’s commitment to expanded multilateral and trilateral cooperation with Australia, and for closer cooperation with Australia on capacity building activities in South East Asia.
The Guidelines also support a more seamless defence partnership between the Japan Self-Defence Forces and the United States Armed Forces.