MELBOURNE (Australia): Japan and Australia on Sunday agreed to strengthen cooperation for stable supplies of important resources and technological innovation to accelerate decarbonization.

At the fifth regular dialogue meeting between the two countries’ economic ministers in Melbourne, Australia promised to continue stable supplies of key resources, such as liquefied natural gas and rare earth minerals.

The two sides confirmed closer cooperation for technological innovation using hydrogen and ammonia in a bid to speed up their decarbonization efforts.

The meeting was attended by Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Yasutoshi Nishimura, as well as by Australian trade minister Don Farrell, resources minister Madeleine King and Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen.

Farrell said that Australia will remain a reliable supplier of resources to Japan. He also said that decarbonization is an important pillar of the two countries’ cooperation, asking for further investment from Japan.

“Japan and Australia are democracies that share common values and are special strategic partners to realize a free and open Indo-Pacific region,” Nishimura said.

Apparently with China in mind, Nishimura said, “Japan wants to work with Australia to counter market-distorting measures and economic coercion.” Farrell expressed his assent.

In a joint statement, the Japanese and Australian ministers reiterated their commitment to maintaining the “high standards” of the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade deal, which China has applied to join.

“Unjustified restrictive trade and other practices are contrary to the objectives and high standards” of the TPP, the statement added.

The Australian government expressed its support for Japan’s science-based actions over the discharge of tritium-containing treated water from Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings Inc.’s meltdown-stricken Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean. Nishimura showed gratitude for Australia’s assistance and cooperation.

The two countries agreed to step up assistance to Pacific island nations in areas such as climate change

JIJI Press