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Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said Tuesday the war in the Middle East has had a “disproportionate impact” on the Asia-Pacific region, as Australia and Japan seek closer coordination on energy security and supply chains.
Wong made the remarks during a visit to Tokyo, where she met Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi. Her visit came days before Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is scheduled to travel to Australia and Vietnam from May 1-5.
Wong said Australia and Japan have “closely linked” supply chains, including fuel imports Australia receives from Japan.
The economic relationship is “increasingly important as we navigate global disruption,” she said.
“I look forward to continuing to coordinate with you our response following the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz and the disproportionate impact on our region,” Wong said.
About one-fifth of the world’s oil normally flows through the Strait of Hormuz. Its closure has threatened supplies to Asian countries that lack their own energy resources.
Japanese government spokesman Minoru Kihara said Takaichi’s visit to Australia and Vietnam is part of efforts to strengthen economic security and ensure stable supplies of energy and critical minerals.
In Australia, Takaichi is expected to hold a Japan-Australia summit meeting with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
Kihara said Takaichi will discuss the stable supply of energy in Asia, taking into account the situation in the Middle East, as well as stronger supply chain resilience.
“We consider these efforts to be important for the procurement of petroleum products and other critical materials in Japan as well,” Kihara said.
Takaichi’s tour follows an agreement earlier this month under which Japan will provide Australia’s navy with the first of nearly a dozen stealth frigates.
The deal is part of a wider military buildup by Canberra aimed at boosting long-range firepower to deter China.
Japan is deepening cooperation with U.S. allies in the Asia-Pacific region that, like Tokyo, are involved in territorial disputes with China.
Takaichi is also scheduled to deliver a foreign policy speech in Vietnam on the evolution of an open Asia-Pacific region.
Kihara said Vietnam is seeing “remarkable growth” among Southeast Asian countries, and that strengthening ties with Australia, “a core partner among like-minded countries,” is important for realizing a free and open Indo-Pacific.
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