News Story: Japan, Australia discuss regional security issues, agree to enhance ties

TOKYO, April 20 (Xinhua) -- Japan and Australia on Thursday agreed to strengthen their cooperative efforts to respond to current tensions on the Korean Peninsular as well as boost logistic cooperation between their defense forces.

The so-called "two-plus-two" talks were held in Tokyo between Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida, Defense Minister Tomomi Inada and their Australian counterparts, Julie Bishop and Marise Payne.

Japanese officials said that security concerns pertaining to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and its nuclear and missile programs were discussed by both sides, who agreed that they would cooperate with the United States on the issue.

The ministers were also set to discuss the idea of revising a bilateral pact inked in January to extend logistic cooperation between the defense forces of both countries, officials said.

Also chaired for discussion was a possible agreement that would allow for the facilitation of joint exercises by both countries' defense forces on overseas visits to each other.

The reciprocal access agreement is set to be concluded this year, informed sources said.

Read the full story at Xinhua

News Story: Japan and Australia to deepen ties amid North Korea tension

TOKYO (AP) -- Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop urged China on Thursday to do more to help out in the international effort to pressure and persuade North Korea to stop escalating nuclear and missile threat.

Bishop said that China has a "unique and specific role to play in pressuring North Korea to cease its illegal behavior. Australia plans to work closely with Japan, South Korea and the U.S., and with China, "to ensure that China can use its unique position."

She made the remark to a group of reporters in Tokyo, where she is joining foreign and defense ministers' talks between Australia and Japan to discuss deepening defense cooperation in time of the growing North Korean threat.

While supporting the U.S. government's shift to a tougher stance, Bishop said further effort for dialogue and economic sanctions are necessary.

"China is the source of energy, of ideas, of innovation, of expertise," she said, noting 95 of direct investment in North Korea come from China and that the North's exports mainly goes to China. "There is a far greater role that China can play in assisting the region and the global community in bringing North Korea into line so it ceases a nuclear and missile program that is clearly designed to attack the United States."

Read the full story at The Mainichi

AUS: Australia-Japan Foreign and Defence Ministers' Meeting

Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Hon Julie Bishop MP and Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Marise Payne will visit Japan on 19 and 20 April to advance Australia’s relationship with our closest strategic partner in Asia and one of our most important economic partners.

Ministers will participate in the seventh Australia-Japan 2+2 Foreign and Defence Ministers’ Meeting with Japanese counterparts, Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida and Defense Minister Tomomi Inada.

The 2+2 meeting will continue our close dialogue and cooperation on key regional security and economic issues, including the concerning rhetoric and actions of the North Korean regime. We will discuss further deepening of our defence engagement and cooperation, in keeping with our shared interests in a stable, open and peaceful Indo-Pacific and a rules-based global order.

Think Tank: Japan and Oz do the trilateral on Trump

Graeme Dobell

Since the 1960s, Australia and Japan have built one of Asia’s closest partnerships. I was going to say one of Asia’s most unusual, but lots of relationships in this region are strange.

When times get tough in Asia, Tokyo and Canberra are always talking and trying to plan. Once a peculiar partnership, constant tending has rubbed away the strangeness. The habit of closeness is based on huge trade interests, constant meeting of minds, common needs, agreement on means—and twin alliances with the US.

As an Asian pairing, Japan and Oz have become a comfortable, status quo marriage–their only argument in public is about whaling. Please don’t mention that spectacular upset about submarines; best forgotten, if not forgiven.

While not overdoing the national psyche interpretation, part of the relationship glue is Japan’s conception of itself as a unique nation in Asia and Australia’s status as an Asian outsider. Here are two nations that feel different. And then there’s the shared obsession with the US.

News Story: Australia, Japan to fast-track TPP vote to pressure U.S.

CANBERRA, Jan. 16 (Xinhua) -- Australia's Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull will attempt to fast-track a Parliamentary vote to approve the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) in a joint ploy by Japan and Australia to pressure the United States into signing the deal.

U.S President-elect Donald Trump, who is due to take office on Jan. 20, has previously said there is no way he would ratify the deal as he moves towards creating a more protectionist America.

Following meetings with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at the weekend, Turnbull said he would encourage the other 10 nations to approve the deal in order to pressure the U.S. Congress into signing the agreement despite presidential disapproval, News Corp reported Monday.

Read the full story at Xinhua

AUS: Signing of the Australia-Japan Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement

Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Marise Payne, welcomed the signing of the Australia-Japan Acquisition and Cross‑Servicing Agreement (ACSA) in Sydney today (14-Jan-2017).

The ACSA facilitates closer bilateral defence logistics support and cooperation during activities such as combined exercises, training and peacekeeping operations.

Prime Minister, the Hon Malcolm Turnbull MP and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan were present at today’s signing ceremony.

“I am delighted that the Acquisition and Cross‑Servicing Agreement was signed during Mr Abe’s visit,” Minister Payne said.

“Australia has a very strong commitment to a broad, deep and growing Special Strategic Partnership with Japan.

News Story: Japanese whaling boat caught operating illegally in Australian waters

First dead Antarctic minke whale to be documented since the ICJ ruling against Japanese whale poachers, on the deck of the factory whaling ship, Nisshin Maru (Image: Sea Shepherd) >>

SYDNEY, Jan. 16 (Xinhua) -- A Japanese whaling ship has allegedly been caught operating illegally in Australian waters.

The Nisshin Maru, a Japanese vessel, was caught in Australian waters between Tasmania and Antarctica with a dead whale on board by a Sea Shepherd Conservation Society (SSCS) helicopter.

The group released images taken by the helicopter of the vessel with a dead protected minke whale on board and two harpoon ships nearby.

Josh Frydenberg, Australia's Environment Minister, said the Australian government was "deeply disappointed" that Japan had resumed whaling.

In a statement issued on Monday Frydenberg said that Australia was "opposed to all forms of commercial and so-called 'scientific' whaling."

"It is not necessary to kill whales in order to study them," he said.

Read the full story at Xinhua

News Story: Japan's Abe visits Australia with TPP, military, economy issues on agenda

by Will Koulouris

SYDNEY, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was in town on Saturday for talks with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull at the latter's Kirribilli House residence in Sydney.

Trade, security and tourism were on the agenda in the closed door dialogue; but the two leaders were part of a larger delegation earlier in the day, which included New South Wales Premier Mike Baird and federal Trade Minister Steven Ciobo, along with business leaders, to discuss economic opportunities between the two nations.

While addressing members of the delegation, Ciobo expressed hoped for the ratification of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) by all 12 countries, and stressed Australia's commitment to ensuring free trade is realized.

With all the focus on the economy and security, there were some who argued that Turnbull should have added to the agenda the current illegal whaling Japanese fishermen are conducting in Australian waters in the Southern Ocean.

Speaking to Xinhua, Australian Greens Senator Nick McKim said he rejects suggestions that Turnbull should avoid the delicate subject in order to protect the bilateral relationship, and wants Turnbull's strong border stance extended to protecting Australia's waters from illegal whalers.

"Mr Turnbull has again shown he does not have the courage to speak up for the magnificent marine creatures being illegally slaughtered by Japan. If Australia's relationship with Japan is as strong as Mr Turnbull claims, it provides the perfect opportunity for disagreements to be raised and addressed," McKim said.

"As for Mr Abe, he should ensure that the $1m Australian Federal Court fine is paid and show some respect to the ICJ decision," he said.

Read the full story at Xinhua