Australia and Japan have further strengthened their long-standing relationship following bilateral Ministerial meetings in Melbourne and Sydney to establish the Australia-Japan Policy Dialogue on Telecommunications Resilience.
Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Cyber Security, the Hon Clare O'Neil MP, and Minister for Communications, the Hon Michelle Rowland MP, welcomed Japan's Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications the Hon Kaneko Yasushi, to Australia to deepen the cooperation between Australia and Japan on telecommunications resilience and security.
Minister O'Neil and Minister Kaneko's discussions on 14 July covered the breadth of bilateral and Quad-based cooperation, including opportunities to harness critical and emerging technologies and build resilient and secure telecommunications networks.
Minister Rowland will meet with Minister Kaneko on 15 July to discuss both countries' experiences with the 5G rollout, submarine cables and satellites. The Ministers note the importance of resilient networks for the digital economy.
Both sides will take the opportunity to reaffirm cooperation, and deepen engagement on telecommunications resilience and security.
Minister O'Neil and Minister Rowland expressed their deepest condolences for the tragic passing of former Prime Minister of Japan Abe Shinzo. Former Prime Minister Abe was formative in advancing both countries' vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific.
Minister O'Neil, Minister Rowland and Minister Kaneko will sign a Joint Statement on Telecommunications Resilience and Security. The joint statement formalises telecommunications cooperation by establishing the Australia-Japan Policy Dialogue on Telecommunications Resilience.
The policy dialogue, co-led by Australia's Department of Home Affairs, the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts and Japan's Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, will complement Australia and Japan's ongoing contributions to telecommunications security in the Indo-Pacific.
Minister Kaneko's visit reflects the importance of our strong economic and strategic relationship founded on our shared commitment to prosperity and security in the Indo Pacific. Japan is a critical partner with Australia to achieve common regional objectives.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Home Affairs Clare O'Neil:
"Japan and Australia are united in our vision of a prosperous and secure Indo-Pacific. This is demonstrated by our commitment, today, to deeper cooperation on secure and resilient telecommunication networks. I look forward to working together, harnessing opportunities generated by critical and emerging technologies, bilaterally and through the Quad.
"I am pleased to work with Japan on the security of our telecommunications networks, particularly 5G and future connectivity.
"This cooperation is vital to ensure that our countries remain safe and resilient to threats of any kind."
Quotes attributable to Minister for Communications Michelle Rowland:
"Australia and Japan share a vision of a digitally-enabled society where future connectivity drives substantial economic and social benefits for our citizens.
"The Australian Government welcomes the visit by Minister Kaneko and we look forward to working with the Japanese Government further on issues of mutual interest to our region."
