Key facts
- Japan's Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi is visiting Australia to meet Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles.
- Discussions will cover Australia's acquisition of Japanese Mogami-class frigates and enhanced security cooperation.
- The visit follows controversy over Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's remarks about a gift of Japanese melons.
- Albanese has defended his comments, stating they were misinterpreted.
- Australia is purchasing three Mogami-class frigates for $10 billion over a decade.
Japan's Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi is set to visit Canberra this week for high-level engagement with his Australian counterpart, Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles. The visit comes in the wake of controversy surrounding comments made by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese about a gift of Japanese melons.
Koizumi and Marles are expected to focus discussions on Australia's acquisition of Japan's Mogami-class frigates and ways to enhance security cooperation between the two nations. The acquisition involves Australia spending $10 billion over a decade to purchase three frigates, with the first delivery anticipated in December 2029.
The visit follows a week where Albanese defended himself against criticism for remarks made on a podcast, where he discussed a pair of Japanese melons presented by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. Albanese has insisted his comments and gestures were misinterpreted and not intended as innuendo. The opposition had criticized Albanese for potentially jeopardizing close relations with Japan.
Public comments from Japan's ambassador to Australia, Kazuhiro Suzuki, suggested that the Japanese government wished to avoid a diplomatic incident. A leaked diplomatic cable indicated that Tokyo believed there was no "ill intention" in Albanese's actions and blamed "sensationalised reporting in the Australian media."
Marles stated that the relationship with Japan continues to strengthen and expressed his eagerness to welcome Minister Koizumi back to Australia. He highlighted plans to progress defense cooperation, including co-developing and co-producing defense capabilities, advanced weapons testing, enhanced training, and increased information and intelligence sharing.