At 10:50 am on Tuesday, September 25, Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda held a summit meeting with the Hon Julia Gillard, Prime Minister of Australia at the United Nations Headquarters. The following is an overview of the 20-minute meeting (Japanese officials in attendance included Prime Minister Noda; Mr. Nagahama, Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary; Mr. Nagashima, Special Advisor to the Prime Minister; and Mr. Sugiyama, Director-General of the Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau. Australian officials in attendance included Prime Minister Gillard; Mr. Richardson, Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade; and Dr. McCarthy, National Security Adviser. The meeting was short, yet warm and friendly.):

1. At the beginning of the summit meeting, Prime Minister Noda expressed his condolences for the passing of Ms. Gillard's father. Prime Minister Noda then went on to express how pleased he was with the constructive discussions of the Fourth Japan-Australia Joint Foreign and Defense Ministerial Consultation (the Japan-Australia 2+2 meeting) that strengthened the strategic partnership between Japan and Australia. Prime Minister Gillard stated that she has received positive reports on the 2+2 meeting and that Australia would like to continue to cooperate further with Japan.
   
   
2. Prime Minister Noda stated that he would like to see the advancement of Japan-Australia economic relations as the Japan-Australia Joint Business Conference celebrates its 50th anniversary. In relation to negotiations for the Japan-Australia Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), Prime Minister Noda also stated that through mutual cooperation, he would like to see an early conclusion of the negotiations. He also explained that Japan's decision to enter into consultations toward participating  in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations with the countries concerned, which he initially announced in November last year, has not changed. Prime Minister Gillard responded that Australia would like to cooperate with Japan in relation to the FTA and TPP.
   
   
3. Both Prime Ministers exchanged their opinions on current regional affairs and agreed that they will continue to remain in close communication and cooperation to ensure the peace and prosperity of the region.