Prime Minister Tony Abbott has praised Japan for taking a more active security role in the Asia-Pacific region while stressing, in a message designed to reassure China, that pursuing closer ties between the two countries is not an act of hostility to any other nation.
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Japan has had increasingly tense relations with China over territory in the East China Sea and is making changes to its pacifist constitution to allow it to come to the aid of friendly nations under attack.
In a speech to a special sitting of Parliament, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe hailed the birth of a new “special relationship” between Japan and Australia, saying the countries would join up, as if in a "rugby scrum", to pursue peace and the rule of law.
Mr Abe said Japan was ending its “self-absorbed” approach to security issues and would pursue closer defence and economic ties with Australia and the United States,
In a veiled reference to China, Mr Abbott said: “Ours is not a partnership against anyone; it's a partnership for peace, for prosperity and for the rule of law.
“For decades now, Japan has been an exemplary international citizen.
"Australia welcomes Japan's recent decision to be a more capable strategic partner in our region.”
As well as signing a free trade agreement on Tuesday afternoon, Mr Abbott and Mr Abe will conclude a defence equipment and technology transfer agreement during Mr Abe's three-day visit.
Mr Abe is the first Japanese leader to make an official visit to Australia since 2002.
“Japan and Australia have deepened our economic ties. We will now join up in a scrum just like in rugby to safeguard peace,” Mr Abe said in a warm speech that was well received by the politicians in attendance.
“Today I stand in front of you to represent the people of Australia and state solemnly that now Japan and Australia will finally use our relationship of trust which has stood up through the trials of history in our co-operation in the area of security.
“There are many things Japan and Australia can do together by each of us joining hands with the United States - an ally for both our nations.
“Japan is now working to change its legal basis for security so we can act jointly with other countries in as many ways as possible. We want to make Japan a country that will work to build an international order that upholds the role of law.”
Mr Abe also paid tribute to former Olympian Dawn Fraser, who watched the speech from the public gallery.
"To me, you are Australia," Mr Abe said, adding that he hoped for a "new dawn" for Japan, which will host the Olympics in 2020.
