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Australia in Japan security deal Australia in Japan security deal
(about 4 hours later)
Japan and Australia are due to sign a security pact, in the first defence treaty the Japanese have made with a country other than the US. 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.
Japan's Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, has denied that the agreement is in response to China's military build-up. 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.
When Japanese troops were in Iraq last year, Australian soldiers were deployed to provide security for them. Mr Abe, who is due to sign the pact with Australian PM John Howard, said it would contribute to global security.
The talks are also expected to cover sensitive issues such as whaling and Japan's wartime use of sex slaves. 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 whispersChinese whispers
Both countries were described recently by the US as important strategic partners in the Asian region. 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. 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.
It is also expected to include co-operation on peacekeeping and disaster relief. Fears that Japan is moving away from its pacifist stance have been dismissed by Mr Abe.
Fears that Japan is moving away from its pacifist stance have been dismissed by the Prime Minister Shinzo 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.
He denies that the declaration is aimed at China and Australia's Prime Minister John Howard 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.