Australian Defence Minister Meets Japanese Prime Minister Abe, Tokyo, Soryu Discussed

Australian Defence Minister Andrews had a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Abe, Tokyo, June 3, 2015 during Andrews' mainly submarine related visit (Photo courtesy Government of Japan)

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At the meeting Defence Minister Andrews (left), Prime Minister Abe (center) Defence Minister Nakatani (right) discussed security and Soryu issues, Tokyo, June 3, 2015 (Photo courtesy Government of Japan)

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On June 3, 2015 Japanese Prime Minister Abe took the unusual step of having talks with a foreign defence minister below Prime Ministerial level - that was Australian Defence Minister Andrews. This underlines how seriously Japan takes deeper alliance relations with Australia - with the pending Soryu sale being a major symbolic and practical component. Japanese Defence Minister Nakatani also attended. Note that Minister Andrews did not meet the German Chancellor or French President (or Prime Minister) when he visited those countries on submarine issues on April 23 and April 24, 2015 respectively. 

On June 4, 2015 Minister Andrews visited the KHI and MHI submarine building yards at Kobe.

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Japan's Jiji Press Agency via the Japan News, June 4, 2015, reported http://the-japan-news.com/news/article/0002196895 :

"Abe offers cooperation in developing subs"

"Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on [June 3, 2015] told visiting Australian Defense Minister Kevin Andrews that Japan hopes to cooperate with Australia on the development of Australia’s next-generation submarines.

In a meeting held at the prime minister’s office in Tokyo, Andrews told Abe that he will visit shipyards in Kobe on [June 4, 2015] that are run by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. and Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd. The two companies build submarines for the Maritime Self-Defense Force.

At a National Security Council meeting last month, the Japanese government decided to participate in the procedures for Australia’s selection of a partner to develop the submarines. Japan also decided to disclose some of its submarine technologies to Australia."

Pete