Aussie soldiers earn access to Japan under an arrangement 60 years in the making
Australian forces will now be able to operate in Japan as a defence agreement with the Asian ally comes into effect.
Australia's Foreign Minister Penny Wong (L) and Australia's Defence Minister Richard Marles (2-L) talk with Japan's Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi (2-R) and Japan's Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada (R) during their visit to the prime minister's office in Tokyo. EPA/PHILIP FONG / POOL
A reciprocal access agreement between the two countries formally began on Sunday allowing greater defence co-operation between Australia and Japan.
Under the agreement, Japanese F-35s will be deployed to RAAF Air Base Tindal, just outside of Darwin, while Australian F-35s will be sent to Japan in early September.
It’s the first visiting forces agreement Japan has struck with another country, aside from the one signed with the United States more than 60 years ago.
The two countries will take part in joint military exercises together under the agreement, with Exercise Yama Sakura set to take place in Japan at the end of the year.
Defence Minister Richard Marles said the agreement would expand the partnership Australia had with Japan.
“The Reciprocal Access Agreement will deepen the relationship between our respective defence forces, supporting closer co-operation and strengthening the capabilities of both the ADF and the Japanese Self-Defence Force,” he said.
“Both Australia and Japan recognise the increasing complexity of our security environment and the need to grow our partnership to support a stable and prosperous region.”
Mr Marles had previously pledged to deepen security ties with Japan while meeting his Japanese counterpart in Tokyo last year.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the reciprocal access agreement would help with stability in the broader area.
“The security and defence relationship between Australia and Japan is critical to both nations and is underpinned by our special strategic partnership,” she said.
“Australia and Japan share an aspiration for a stable, peaceful and prosperous region, and this bilateral reciprocal access agreement will help us deepen our defence co-operation.”
