Scott Morrison plans trip to meet Shinzo Abe in Japan

Senior Australian and Japanese officials have discussed a visit as the region’s democracies boost co-operation to counter China.

Shinzo Abe, left, and Scott Morrison at the G7 Summit in Biarritz, France, in August last year. Picture: Adam Taylor

Talks are underway between Australia and Japan on a potential visit by Scott Morrison to Tokyo this year for a face-to-face summit with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, as the region’s democracies ramp up co-operation to counter China.

The leaders met in a virtual summit last month, but both sides have committed to an in-person summit in Tokyo “in the nearest possible future”.

It’s understood senior officials from both countries have discussed how the visit could go ahead, despite the COVID-19 crisis, before the end of the year.

Government sources told The Australian it was too soon for the Prime Minister to commit to the visit, as it was unclear how the coronavirus second wave would play out.

Japanese ambassadorReiichiro Takahashi. Picture: Sean Davey.

If Mr Morrison made the trip it’s likely he would have to self-isolate for up to a fortnight on his return, as Foreign Minister Marise Payne and Defence Minister Linda Reynolds did when they returned from AUSMIN talks in the US.

During their virtual summit in early July, Mr Morrison and Mr Abe hit out at “coercive and unilateral actions” in the East and South China Seas, and reaffirmed the importance of the “Quad” alliance between Australia, the US, Japan and India.

The leaders also expressed “grave concerns” over China’s new security law in Hong Kong, and urged Taiwan’s inclusion as an observer at the World Health Assembly.

In a statement on Saturday marking the 75th anniversary of Japan’s defeat in World War II, Japanese ambassador Reiichiro Takahashi said his country appreciated the “spirit of tolerance and friendship” that Australia had shown his country since the conflict ended.

“The positive, friendly post-war relationship that Japan and Australia share is vast in its scope, encompassing not only the economy, but also cultural exchanges, as well as political relationships and defence co-operation,” Mr Takahashi said.

“We have the great responsibility to take the lessons of history deeply into our hearts, to carve out a better future.”

The negotiations come amid suggestions by Defence Minister Taro Kono that Japan could become the sixth partner in the “Five Eyes” intelligence-sharing alliance, which includes Australia, the US, the UK, Canada and New Zealand.

“These countries share the same values,” Mr Kono said in an interview with Nikkei Asian Review.

“Japan can get closer (to the alliance) even to the extent of it being called the ‘Six Eyes’.”