Japanese PM Sanae Takaichi and Australian PM Anthony Albanese at last October’s ASEAN Summit. Photo: Anthony Albanese Facebook.
The Prime Minister of Japan Sanae Takaichi will visit Canberra from 3 to 5 May.
The visit will be Ms Takaichi’s first to Australia since she took office in October 2025, and will mark the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Basic Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation between Australia and Japan.
The visit comes after Ms Takaichi welcomed French President Emmanuel Macron to Tokyo in early April, where they signed a number of agreements covering artificial intelligence, nuclear energy, economic security and military ties in the region.
Described as Japan’s “Iron Lady”, the 62-year old conservative, heavy metal loving, motorcycle riding, Dragonball Z enthusiast has also been described as “hawkish” after showing increasing resolve in standing up to Chinese and North Korean geopolitical moves in the region compared to her predecessors.
In November, the Lowy Institute wrote, “Takaichi’s early priorities have many convinced that Japan is, once again, getting serious about regional balancing challenges in the Indo-Pacific.”
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the relationship between Australia and Japan as one that was underpinned by deep trade and investment ties, growing security and defence cooperation, and enduring cultural ties between the two nations.
The timing of the visit also likely explains Mr Albanese’s reluctance to impose a levy on Australia’s gas exports despite recent bipartisan and Crossbench support for such a tax, as Japan is one of Australia’s largest gas importers.
Mr Albanese said he would be honoured to welcome Ms Takaichi to Parliament House in Canberra on Monday 4 May for the Australia–Japan Annual Leaders’ Meeting.
“We will continue to work together under our Special Strategic Partnership for the benefit of our people and the region,” he said.
“Fifty years ago, our nations laid the foundation for a partnership based on trust, shared values and mutual respect by signing the Basic Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation.
“Australia and Japan share strong strategic alignment,” he added. “Our cooperation is essential to maintaining a peaceful, stable and prosperous region.
“Our enduring trade and investment ties underpin our relationship, creating jobs, providing opportunity and delivering economic growth to both our nations.”
