Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Japan-Australia Relationship

In a speech in Tokyo, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Stephen Smith, has described the Japan-Australia relationship as of increasing strategic importance to both countries.

Mr Smith, and the Minister for Defence, Joel Fitzgibbon, visited Tokyo on 18 December for the second Australia-Japan Joint Foreign and Defence Ministerial Consultations (the so-called 2+2 meeting). The meeting is one of only three formal foreign and defence strategic dialogues that Australia has world-wide, the others being with the United States and the United Kingdom.

On his fourth visit to Japan this year, Mr Smith said: "Such a meeting could only take place in the closest of relationships. The 2+2 highlights the reality that Australia and Japan are firm friends, close partners and key players in addressing regional and global security challenges."

"Our relationship, built on a long term economic partnership, is importantly underpinned by shared values, intersecting interests and common approaches to international security challenges."

A Joint Statement was issued at the conclusion of the meeting.

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Piracy in the Gulf of Aden

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Hon Stephen Smith, MP with the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, the Hon Anthony Albanese, MP issued a joint media release on 5 December 2008. The Australian Government is deeply concerned at the recent significant increase in piracy-related incidents in the Gulf of Aden and off the coast to Somalia, and at the threat these incidents pose to innocent life and the maritime industry. These incidents have included the seizing of cargo vessels, and attacks on cruise ships, including some carrying Australian passengers.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade reissued its travel advice for Australians Travelling at Sea. The revised travel advice notes that attacks by pirates against all forms of shipping in and around Somalia’s waters and the Gulf of Aden are increasing in frequency and that in early December 2008, pirates in the Gulf of Aden made an unsuccessful attempt to hijack the Oceania Nautica. The advice urges Australians to maintain a high level of vigilance and to exercise extreme caution when anywhere near these waters.

We encourage Australians considering travelling by sea through the Gulf of Aden (including on cruise ships) and security regulated Australian ships to give very close consideration to the Australian Government’s strengthened advice on this matter.

More travel advice at Smartraveller

Keep up to date with all our latest travel advice at www.smartraveller.gov.au.