Security ties on agenda at Julie Bishop’s talks in Tokyo

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop will today call for a deeper strategic relationship with Japan.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop will call today for a deeper strategic ­relationship with Japan, saying Tokyo’s move towards a less pacifist defence policy offers new ­opportunities for a partnership.

In a major speech in Tokyo, the Foreign Minister is expected to outline the key security challenge facing the region and to call on Japan to forge a closer partnership with Australia to promote stability in an increasingly unstable region.

Such a move would build on an agreement in November to significantly increase co-operation on defence at a time of continuing tensions in the South and East China seas.

Australia has pledged to stay neutral in any territorial dispute between Japan and China in the East China Sea but has criticised China’s moves to militarise disputed islands in the South China Sea.

Ms Bishop met with Japan’s Foreign Affairs Minister Fumio Kishida last night and will meet today with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Defence Minister Gen Nakatani as part of a two-day visit to Tokyo.

She said yesterday moves by the Abe government to adopt a more outward-looking ­defence and security posture would herald greater opportuni­ties to partner with Australia in the region and around the world.

“I will focus on what Japan and Australia have done together in terms of regional security but also global security and what more we can do in the future,” she said.

“Japan has sought to normalise its defence posture. It is already a significant contributor to peacekeeping and humanitarian efforts, and I think there are opportuni­ties for Australia and Japan to do more in a strategic sense in the years to come. We are already engaged in joint exercises, we work ­together very closely, but I think there are more opportunities for Australia and other countries in the region to engage more deeply to ensure that our region is stable and secure.”

Australia and Japan agreed in November to hold more joint military exercises, a closer trilateral ­relationship with the US and more exchanges of military personnel.

The move towards an ever-closer three-way strategic relationship between Australia, Japan and the US is being watched warily by Beijing, which sees it as a move to contain China.

Japan’s bid for the $20 billion future submarine contract is a key part of Tokyo’s plan for closer strategic links with Australia. Japan is vying with France and Germany for the lucrative contract, with the successful bidder to be named this year.

The Japanese government will impress upon Ms Bishop the strategic benefits for Australia of choosing Japanese submarines, but the Foreign Minister insisted Canberra would make its decision according to its defence and ­national-security priorities.

“I expect the issue of Australia’s competitive evaluation process regarding our future submarine project will be raised and I will thank the Japanese government for taking part in that process,” Ms Bishop said. “Our focus is on capability and on the needs of the Australian ­Defence Force in protecting our national interest so the bids will be considered against that background. We are looking at capability, quality, the technical requirements and obviously cost as well; there are a whole raft of ­elements that will be considered.”

Japan’s move to exercise its right to “collective self-defence” is an attempt by the Abe government to reinterpret Japan’s deeply pacifist constitution and to take a more assertive and modern role on global affairs.

The measure has proved divisive with voters and many restrictions remain in place to ensure Japan does not again become a militaristic power.

Its move to boost military and security co-operation with Australia is seen to be in line with Tokyo’s push for a broader, more outward regional focus on security issues.