The Hon Richard Marles MP
Deputy Prime Minister
Minister for Defence

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, Richard Marles, will travel to Japan from 6 – 7 December to meet with his counterpart, Minister of Defense, Koizumi Shinjiro.

Australia and Japan share a rich history, shaped by decades of peaceful engagement and cooperation. Our relationship is underpinned by a shared vision for our region and enhancing our Special Strategic Partnership as we work together to respond to increasingly complex global challenges.

Deputy Prime Minister Marles and Minister Koizumi will discuss next steps for further deepening the defence relationship – building on the 2022 Australia-Japan Joint Declaration on Security Cooperation and outcomes of September’s Foreign and Defence Ministers’ Meeting.

During the visit, they will also travel to Mitsubishi Heavy Industries’ Nagasaki Shipyard where Japan builds its Mogami class frigates.

In August this year, the Albanese Government selected Japan’s Mogami class frigate as the preferred platform for the Royal Australian Navy’s future fleet of general purpose frigates.

Quotes attributable to Deputy Prime Minister, Richard Marles:

“Our relationship with Japan continues to grow from strength to strength – underpinned by close strategic alignment, mutual ambition and enormous potential.

“I look forward to meeting with Minister Koizumi to progress our already strong defence relationship even further.”