The Japanese and Australian governments have decided to hold a virtual 2-plus-2 meeting between their foreign and defense ministers as early as the end of the month, according to government sources.
The two governments are expected to discuss how best to realize a "free and open Indo-Pacific" while keeping in mind China's increasingly hegemonic actions.
The 2-plus-2 meeting will be attended by Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi, and their Australian counterparts Marise Payne and Peter Dutton.
The ministers are expected to oppose China's unilateral attempts to change the status quo by using force in the East China Sea and the South China Sea, as well as share their concerns about China's Coast Guard Law, which stipulates that the coast guard is allowed to use weaponry.
Tokyo and Canberra have been in negotiations to finalize a pact to facilitate joint exercises between Japan's Self-Defense Forces and the Australian military.
During the talks, the two governments are expected to agree to speed up negotiations to reach an early conclusion. The ministers are also expected to discuss the Quad framework, which includes Japan, Australia, India and the United States, and emphasize the importance of working together to counter China.
The upcoming 2-plus-2 meeting will be the first between Japan and Australia since October 2018 in Sydney.
Motegi and Payne agreed to make adjustments to be able to hold the meeting earlier, when they met in Britain on May 5.
Read more from The Japan News at https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/
