Japan, Australia to sign military collaboration treaty
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison is expected to visit Japan in mid-November for a meeting with Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, The Yomiuri Shimbun has learned.
During the visit, the two leaders are expected to sign a treaty to smoothen military collaboration and reaffirm efforts to counter China's growing maritime expansion.
This will be the first time Suga has met with a foreign leader in Japan since his administration began in September.
The planned treaty is expected to stipulate a tariff exemption for goods carried by the Japanese Self-Defense Forces and the Australian military when they are temporarily in a partner country for joint training and other purposes, and simplify procedures for bringing weapons and ammunition into each other's country, according to Japanese government sources.
The two countries have already agreed to make arrangements so that the Self-Defense Forces will use weapons to protect Australian military vessels. The leaders are expected to agree on a swift implementation of the agreement at the summit meeting.
Suga and Morrison are also expected to reaffirm a commitment to promote the "Free and Open Indo-Pacific" vision.
The two sides plan to discuss cooperation on measures against the novel coronavirus and the resumption of business travel.
Australia has been at odds with China over restrictions on imports of Australian goods and other issues, and has been strengthening its ties with Japan.
Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Marise Payne and Defense Minister Linda Reynolds visited Japan in October.
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Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison
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