Prime Minister Anthony Albanese met his Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida for bilateral talks in Perth.
Defense cooperation between the countries was on the agenda amid China and North Korea’s actions in the shared Pacific region.
The leaders are also expected to discuss energy exports from Australia, which Japan relies on for about two-thirds of its coal and one-third of its LNG.
As the world moves towards net zero, Australia is looking to change this profitable relationship to include other important minerals used in the production of low carbon technologies.
Ahead of Saturday’s talks, the leaders also cuddled koalas Eric and Henry and exchanged gifts during a ceremony at Perth’s Royal Park and Botanic Gardens.
The Australian leader presented his colleague with a set of four kinetic whiskey glasses created by glass artist Emma Clough.
In return, he received a set of Sony wireless noise-canceling headphones from Mr. Kishida.
This is the first visit by a Japanese prime minister to Australia since 2018, but they are far from strangers.
During his tenure, Mr Albanese met Mr Kishida three times – at multinational meetings in Tokyo and Madrid and at the funeral of slain former Japanese leader Shinzo Abe.
Still to come
https://thewest.com.au/news/anthony-albanese-meets-japanese-pm-fumio-kishida-for-defence-trade-talks-c-8625726
