Japan, Australia to hold "2+2" talks on bilateral ties

Japan and Australia will hold their "two-plus-two" meeting Wednesday with an eye on enhancing bilateral defense cooperation.

The meeting, which will involve the two countries foreign and defense chiefs, came after a visit by Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott in April and the two sides reached a free trade accord during Abbott's visit.

"By further promoting joint exercises with Australia, we would like to enhance interoperability and strengthen cooperation in humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, maritime security and international peace activities, among other areas," Japan's Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera was quoted as saying on Tuesday.

Fumio Kishida, Japan's foreign affairs chief, said separately on Tuesday that they would like to further strengthen cooperative relations between Japan and Australia.

The ministers are expected to agree on the substantive conclusion of negotiations on a Defense Science, Technology and Materiel Agreement, announced during Abbott's visit.

The agreement will allow the two sides to jointly develop defense technologies, such as submarine technologies they agreed in April, establishing a basis to deepen defense cooperation.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop and Defense Minister David Johnston will represent Australia in the bilateral "two-plus-two" meeting.