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Australia in Japan security deal | Australia in Japan security deal |
(about 4 hours later) | |
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has said that a security pact he is to sign with Australia will help to stabilise the entire Asia-Pacific region. | |
The defence deal - the first Japan has made with a country other than the US - includes co-operation on peacekeeping, counter-terrorism and disaster relief. | |
Mr Abe, who is due to sign the pact with Australian PM John Howard, said it would contribute to global security. | |
He denied the agreement was a response to the military build-up by China. | |
"For our two countries to co-operate promotes the development of the region, as well as contributing to peace and security in the world," Mr Abe told Australian Broadcasting Corporation radio. | |
The joint declaration comes amid regional concern over North Korea's nuclear and missile tests last year and wariness over China's growing military power. | |
Chinese whispers | Chinese whispers |
Australia and Japan were described recently by the US as important strategic allies in the Asia-Pacific region, and both backed the US-led war in Iraq. | |
When Japanese troops were in Iraq last year, Australian soldiers were deployed to provide security for them. | |
Now their close co-operation on security issues is expected to be formalised with an agreement signed by the two country's prime ministers in Tokyo. | Now their close co-operation on security issues is expected to be formalised with an agreement signed by the two country's prime ministers in Tokyo. |
It will not be a mutual defence treaty like the Japanese have with the Americans but Australian officials say it could lead to intelligence sharing and joint military exercises. | |
Fears that Japan is moving away from its pacifist stance have been dismissed by Mr Abe. | |
He denies that the declaration is aimed at China, and Mr Howard - who is in Tokyo - says he is not worried it will harm Canberra's ties with Beijing. | |
The talks between the two men are also expected to include contentious issues such as the row over Japan's wartime use of women as sex slaves. | The talks between the two men are also expected to include contentious issues such as the row over Japan's wartime use of women as sex slaves. |
Mr Howard says he will raise the issue after Mr Abe last month said there was no evidence that Japan's military or government had been involved in coercion. | Mr Howard says he will raise the issue after Mr Abe last month said there was no evidence that Japan's military or government had been involved in coercion. |
He also wants to discuss Japan's insistence that it has a right to continue whaling. | He also wants to discuss Japan's insistence that it has a right to continue whaling. |