Japan-Australia Defense Ministers’ Meeting
Overview
On October 29, 2026, Japanese Defense Minister Koizumi, who was visiting the Philippines to attend the 13th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus), met with Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Marles. The ministers shared their views on the regional security environment and confirmed plans to advance defense cooperation. They welcomed progress on the general-purpose frigate project and coordination on using Australian test sites for Japan’s hypersonic guided missile program and related projects, and agreed to continue working together toward trials in Australia. They also confirmed their intention to build a multilayered cooperative relationship, with cooperation among like-minded countries at its core, and contribute to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific.
Key points
- The meeting took place on October 29, 2026, during the visit to the Philippines.
- The ministers confirmed that they would advance Japan-Australia defense cooperation and build multilayered cooperation centered on partnership among like-minded countries.
- They will continue working together toward trials in Australia using Australian test sites for Japan’s hypersonic guided missile program and related projects.
Overview
While visiting the Philippines to attend the 13th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus), Japanese Defense Minister Koizumi met with Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Marles.
The ministers shared their views on the increasingly severe regional security environment and confirmed that they would further advance defense cooperation under the Japan-Australia Special Strategic Partnership.
Details
On defense equipment and technology cooperation, the ministers confirmed that Australia’s general-purpose frigate project, discussed at the Japan-Australia defense ministers’ meeting in August, was making steady progress.
The ministers welcomed progress in working-level coordination, including the dispatch of a survey team to Australia in September 2026, to use Australian test sites for Japan’s hypersonic guided missile program and related projects. They agreed to continue working together toward trials in Australia.
The ministers reaffirmed the importance of Japan and Australia building a multilayered cooperative relationship at the core of cooperation among like-minded countries, and agreed to continue contributing to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific.