Australian PM Holds First Meeting With Japan's Historic Female Leader
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Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese met Monday with Japan’s newly appointed Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, the first woman to lead the world’s fourth-largest economy, in a meeting that underscored deepening defense and economic ties between the two U.S. allies.
The bilateral meeting at the ASEAN Summit in Malaysia marked one of the first international engagements for Takaichi since she assumed office, with Albanese characterizing the discussion as “very warm” and expressing satisfaction at being among the first foreign leaders to meet with Japan’s historic new prime minister.
“Last night I had the opportunity to meet Japan’s new Prime Minister, Takaichi, for the very first time,” Albanese told reporters Tuesday morning in Kuala Lumpur. “We had a very warm first engagement and it was terrific to be one of the first international leaders to meet the new Prime Minister, the first woman to be Prime Minister of Japan.”
The meeting between the two leaders comes as Australia and Japan expand their strategic partnership beyond traditional security cooperation into major defense procurement and energy sector collaboration. Albanese emphasized the multifaceted nature of the bilateral relationship, which he described as crucial for Australian interests.
“And of course, Japan is such an important relationship for us,” Albanese said. “We engage in defense and security issues, but importantly as an economic partner.”
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The defense dimension of the Australia-Japan relationship has grown significantly in recent years, with Australia selecting Japan’s Mogami-class frigates for construction as part of a major naval procurement program. The vessels, which Albanese referenced during his remarks, will be sourced from Japan and then manufactured at Henderson shipyard in Western Australia under a technology transfer agreement.
“Japan of course has recently with the Megami frigates as well is where we will source them and then manufacture in Western Australia as that relationship goes forward,” Albanese said, using an alternate pronunciation of the vessel class name.
The frigate program represents one of Australia’s largest defense acquisitions and demonstrates Tokyo’s willingness to export advanced military technology to trusted partners—a significant policy shift for a nation that maintained strict arms export restrictions for decades following World War II.
Beyond defense cooperation, Australia serves as a major energy supplier to Japan, providing crucial stability for Tokyo’s resource needs following the country’s reduced reliance on nuclear power after the 2011 Fukushima disaster. Australia exports liquefied natural gas, coal, and increasingly green hydrogen to Japan as both nations work to balance energy security with decarbonization commitments.
“We’re a reliable supplier of energy for Japan,” Albanese said, highlighting the economic foundation of the bilateral relationship.
The meeting occurs against a backdrop of heightened strategic competition in the Indo-Pacific region, where both Australia and Japan face security challenges from an increasingly assertive China and North Korean missile tests. Both nations are core members of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) alongside the United States and India, though questions about that grouping’s future have emerged under the new Trump administration.
Takaichi’s elevation to Japan’s leadership position follows a career as a conservative politician known for hawkish stances on security issues and traditional views on social policy. Her appointment as Japan’s first female prime minister represents a milestone for a nation that has lagged behind other developed economies in women’s political representation.
During his remarks, Albanese expressed optimism about future Quad meetings despite the absence of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi from the ASEAN Summit and the compressed schedule of U.S. President Trump, who is traveling to Japan and South Korea for meetings including a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
“I’m hopeful that there will be a meeting in the first quarter, I would hope, of next year,” Albanese said regarding the Quad. “Prime Minister Modi is due to host the Quad meeting.”
The Australian leader emphasized the importance of the Quad as “an important forum and an important vehicle for us to engage Australia, the United States, Japan and India,” while acknowledging the logistical challenges facing a potential near-term summit.
Albanese also welcomed the Trump-Xi meeting scheduled for South Korea, describing it as positive that “the leaders of the two largest economies in the world are having that direct engagement.”
The Australia-Japan relationship has evolved significantly since the nations signed a landmark security cooperation agreement in 2022, expanding joint military exercises and intelligence sharing. Both countries participate in trilateral exercises with the United States and have explored potential trilateral cooperation including South Korea.
Trade between Australia and Japan totaled approximately $70 billion annually in recent years, with Australia providing critical raw materials for Japanese manufacturing while Japan supplies Australia with vehicles, machinery, and increasingly defense technology. The relationship has been characterized by successive Australian governments as among Canberra’s most important bilateral partnerships.
Takaichi’s government faces significant domestic challenges including Japan’s aging population, sluggish economic growth, and questions about the nation’s defense posture amid regional tensions. Her meeting with Albanese signals continuity in Tokyo’s commitment to deepening engagement with regional partners despite domestic political transitions.
The warm reception Albanese described suggests both leaders recognize the strategic value of the bilateral partnership and intend to maintain momentum on defense cooperation, energy security, and economic integration. Australia’s selection of Japanese frigates over competing designs from South Korea and European shipbuilders represented a major vote of confidence in Japanese defense technology and the bilateral relationship.
Albanese’s schedule in Malaysia includes multiple high-level engagements beyond the Japan meeting, including his seventh bilateral discussion with Chinese Premier Li Qiang, informal discussions with Southeast Asian leaders, and participation in the broader ASEAN Summit proceedings.
The Australian leader emphasized his government’s focus on regional engagement, noting his presence at every ASEAN-related forum since taking office in 2022. “I look forward to coming back and back again,” he said during an earlier address to business leaders.
The Takaichi meeting represents an early test of personal chemistry between the two leaders and provides an opportunity to establish rapport that could prove valuable as both nations navigate complex regional security dynamics in the years ahead. The characterization of the discussion as “very warm” suggests a promising foundation for continued close cooperation.
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