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Australia in Japan security deal Australia in Japan security deal
(about 3 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 prime ministers of Japan and Australia have signed a security pact designed to enhance military co-operation between the two nations.
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. Japan's PM Shinzo Abe said the pact would help to stabilise the region.
Mr Abe, who is due to sign the pact with Australian PM John Howard, said it would contribute to global security. The defence deal - Japan's first with a country other than the US - includes co-operation on border security, counter-terrorism and disaster relief.
He denied the agreement was a response to the military build-up by China. It is the result of closer co-operation on security matters in Asia that Japan and Australia have been pursuing.
Japan's other defence treaty was signed in 1960, when the US guaranteed to defend Japan if it were attacked.
Mr Abe denied the new agreement, signed with Australian PM John Howard in Tokyo, was a response to China's military build-up.
"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.
Mr Howard said Australia had "no better friend or more reliable partner within the Asia-Pacific region" than Japan.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."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.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 has been formalised.
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. According to the BBC's Chris Hogg in Tokyo, the four part agreement sets out priorities for the that co-operation - counter terrorism activities, maritime security, border protection and disaster relief.
Australia says the pact may lead to intelligence sharing and to Japanese troops taking part in military exercises on Australian soil.
It will not be a mutual defence treaty like Japan has with the US. 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.