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On January 18, 2018, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe hosted a summit meeting and other events with the Hon. Malcolm Turnbull, Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Australia.

The two leaders attended a salute and guard of honor ceremony, and then held a meeting. Thereafter, Prime Minister Abe hosted a special meeting of the National Security Council (meeting among four ministers).

At the beginning of the meeting, the Prime Minister said,

“Today, I am pleased to welcome Malcolm to this special meeting of the National Security Council.

Japan and Australia are special strategic partners that share universal values such as freedom, democracy, human rights, and the rule of law, as well as strategic interests.

As countries located in the Indo-Pacific region, Japan and Australia have an important responsibility to ensure the peace and prosperity of this region. In particular, as stabilizing forces in the seas, both our countries must further work together to create a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

Today, I look forward to discussing with Malcolm about Japan-Australia cooperation aimed at the realization of a free and open Indo-Pacific region.”

Thereafter, the leaders held a joint press announcement.

Lastly, the Prime Minister hosted a dinner banquet at the Prime Minister’s Official Residence and said in his address,

“I would like to extend a heartfelt welcome to the Hon. Malcolm Turnbull, Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Australia, on his visit to Japan.

Today, Malcolm and I held an excellent exchange of views, including on the issues of North Korea. This evening I would like Malcolm to enjoy some time relaxing over Japanese cuisine.

With the New Year of 2018 upon us, Japan’s hosting of the Rugby World Cup is just around the corner in 2019. Japan has learned a lot from Australia with regard to rugby. Last year, the pool draw was held in Kyoto to determine the World Cup qualifiers, and I travelled to Kyoto for the event. I did the draw to determine which countries were in which group. I was praised as Japan was not drawn in the same group as Australia. My prediction is that Japan will make it through the preliminary round and hopefully face the Wallabies in the championship match. Actually let me correct my prediction to a more realistic one. I hope Japan will meet the Wallabies in the knockout stage and not the championship match.

The year after next Japan is set to host the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games. Today, we are joined by Ms. Naoko Takahashi, winner of a gold medal at the Sydney Olympic Games. Many Japanese people remember the excitement from this time. I anticipate that a great deal of excitement will be produced by the upcoming Tokyo Games as well. In Japan, host towns will warmly welcome Australia’s national teams. Kobe and Nishiwaki cities in Hyogo Prefecture are among the cities to be host towns. I hope Australia will turn the hospitality of the host towns into power to win a large number of gold medals.

This evening we are joined by people who have supported the friendly relations between our two countries in various facets, including politics, business, academics, arts, sports, and grassroots activities. Thanks to all of your efforts we enjoy a very amicable friendship between our two countries. I would like to take this opportunity to extend my appreciation to all of you and ask for your ongoing cooperation in the future. I would now like to give a toast to the good health of Prime Minister Turnbull and everyone with us today, as well as the continued development of our bilateral relations. Cheers.”