Territory Strengthens Indo-Pacific Ties with Japan Visit
The Finocchiaro CLP Government has welcomed the arrival of Japanese frigate JS Yahagi to Darwin this week, reinforcing the Northern Territory’s strategic role in the Indo-Pacific and strengthening defence and economic ties with Japan.
Chief Minister and Minister for Defence NT, Lia Finocchiaro, said the visit highlights Darwin’s growing importance as a regional hub for defence cooperation, joint exercises, and security engagement.
“Darwin continues to play a vital role in regional and global defence partnerships, and the visit of JS Yahagi showcases our importance to peace in the Indo-Pacific ,” said Mrs Finocchiaro.
“Japan is not only our largest trading partner, but also a trusted regional partner. We welcome their increased engagement in the Territory and look forward to expanding our cooperation across defence, energy and infrastructure.”
The JS Yahagi is the fifth vessel in Japan’s Mogami-class frigate series. This visit is the latest in a long history of Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force visits to Darwin. It demonstrates strong collaboration with the Royal Australian Navy and the important operational hub Darwin offers.
Japan’s growing presence in the Top End has been made possible through the Australia-Japan Reciprocal Access Agreement, which enables greater cooperation between the Australian Defence Force and Japan’s Self-Defense Forces (JSDF).
In November 2024, the Chief Minister met Japan Minister of Defense Gen Nakatani as part of a historic trilateral Defence Ministers’ meeting between Australia, Japan, and the United States, where it was announced the ADF, JSDF’s Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade and US Marine Corps would conduct annual trilateral amphibious training in Northern Australia from 2025.
Japan is also a critical trade and investment partner for the Northern Territory, accounting for $6 billion in exports in 2023-24, primarily through the INPEX Ichthys LNG Project, which supplies around 10 per cent of Japan’s energy needs.
“Japan’s decision to double its defence budget by 2027, reaching around US$70 billion, presents major opportunities for Territory-based industries in defence, logistics, and infrastructure,” said Mrs Finocchiaro.
“Our government is committed to leveraging the Territory’s strategic location and strong international relationships to drive jobs and investment for Territorians, as part of our year of action, certainty and security. Later this year, I will travel to Japan to continue advancing this important work.”
The visit of JS Yahagi follows a series of significant defence engagements in the Territory, including the USS Minnesota and an upcoming visit by a UK Royal Navy Carrier Strike Group.
https://nt.gov.au/