Australia and Japan are set to sign a "historic treaty" at a virtual leaders' summit on Thursday to strengthen defense and security cooperation, a move seen to be a response to China's growing assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific region.
"This treaty will be a statement of our two nations' commitment to work together in meeting the shared strategic security challenges we face and to contribute to a secure and stable Indo-Pacific," Morrison said.
“It will, for the first time, provide a clear framework for enhanced interoperability and cooperation between our two forces.”
China wasn't mentioned in Morrison's statement, but he noted that the treaty would contribute to an "expanding agenda" for the Quad—an informal strategic security dialogue between the United States, Australia, India, and Japan that promotes a free Indo-Pacific.
The agreement would also allow Australia and Japan to share their technology-led approach to reduce carbon emissions, he added.
Australia's treaty with Japan follows the formation of AUKUS in September, a new defense pact between the United States, Britain, and Australia, under which Australia will acquire a nuclear-powered fleet for the first time.
The two ministers, who met at the sidelines of a G-7 Foreign and Development Ministers’ Meeting, emphasized that Japan and Australia would continue to assist in building quality infrastructure in the Indo–Pacific region, including by utilizing the framework of Japan, Australia, and the United States.