This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/6444207.stm

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
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.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.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.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.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."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. Mr Howard said Australia had "no better friend or more reliable partner within the Asia-Pacific region" than Japan.
"We are great Pacific democracies," he said.
Chinese whispersChinese whispers
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.
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.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.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.
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 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.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.