CANBERRA, Australia, Aug. 11 (UPI) -- Australia's government is planning to deepen ties with Japan, with a bilateral security agreement for new military and security cooperation.
The proposal was advanced by Foreign Minister Alexander Downer during recent trips to Tokyo, where he talked with Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and the likely next prime minister, Shinzo Abe, The Australian reported.
The Australian cabinet's National Security Committee has approved Downer's submission on a negotiating framework to advance bilateral ties between the former World War II enemies.
"We talked about a security agreement during my recent visit," Downer said. "This was by far the best trip I have had to Japan as foreign minister. We are now seeing a complete change in Japan's attitudes to where they were previously. We believe a security agreement is something to explore."
Abe, as part of his campaign for office, has supported Japan's adoption of closer strategic relations with Australia and India.
