Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro welcomed Japan’s Minister of Defense, Gen Nakatani, to Darwin on his first visit to Australia since his appointment.
The 14th Trilateral Defence Ministers’ Meeting between Australia, the United States and Japan was held in Darwin on Sunday.
The key takeout from the Trilateral for the Territory were:
Annual trilateral amphibious training among the ADF, the Japan Ground Self‑Defense Force’s Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade, and United States Marine Rotational Force – Darwin in northern Australia and the Indo-Pacific region from 2025, beginning with Talisman Sabre 2025.Increasing Japan’s contribution to Exercise Southern Jackaroo and Exercise Talisman Sabre in Australia, including more complex scenarios in order to increase trilateral interoperability from 2025.
The Northern Territory has a close connection with Japan, including collaboration on Inpex’s Ichthys project in Darwin, and erecting a memorial for the 80 Japanese personnel killed in the I-124 submarine attack off the coast of Darwin during World War II.
“The Territory supports Japan’s commitment to increase training and interoperability with our ADF and Marine Rotational Force – Darwin,” said Mrs Finocchiaro.
“This agreement reinforces our strategic importance in the region but also provides economic opportunities for Territorians.
“The Acting Prime Minister and I are united in how important Darwin is as a strategic resource to our nation’s defence, and to secure a commitment by the Japanese is welcome.
“Defence is a cornerstone of the Territory’s economy, and accounts for 9 per cent of our economic activity.
“The Territory is a critical defence and national security hub and a critical enabler of Defence capability in the region and is an essential bridge to the Indo-Pacific.”
Mrs Finocchiaro added: “As Chief Minister, I have retained the Defence portfolio, established dedicated economic agencies, and appointed an interim Territory Coordinator that can accelerate project delivery.”
“As well as this, I have re-established the ministerial portfolio of Asian Relations, led by Minister Robyn Cahill, and our Government is focused on improving the Territory’s lifestyle that will make the Territory a Defence posting of choice.”
Image: Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro welcomes Japan’s Minister of Defense, Gen Nakatani, at RAAF Base Darwin on Sunday.
Northern Territory Government
