Scott Morrison likely to visit Japan in November to meet Japan’s new PM

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison plans on traveling to Japan to meet the country’s recently elected prime minister, Yoshihide Suga, as early as November, The Australian reported Tuesday.

Japan Australia prime minister

Australia's prime minister Scott Morrison is having a video meeting with the then counterpart Shinzo Abe on the 9th of July 2020 Source: Liam Webb (ScoMo Media)

The visit is aimed at reinforcing strategic cooperation between the two countries in the face of China’s increasing assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific region, The Australian reported.

The meeting could be delayed to January 2021 if situations surrounding the novel coronavirus pandemic worsen or Suga decides to dissolve the House of Representatives for a general election before his envisaged visit, according to the newspaper.

The visit will be Morrison’s first trip abroad since the pandemic and he will likely be obligated to quarantine for two weeks upon his return, it reported.

The two are expected to continue discussions regarding a visiting forces agreement which would provide legal status to members of Japan’s Self-Defense Forces and the Australian military during joint drills on their respective lands, among other issues.


Share
1 min read

Published

By Wires
Presented by Yang J. Joo
Source: wires, The Australian


Share this with family and friends