Australia and Japan take major step towards signing historic defence treaty

A military pact between Australia and Japan shouldn't cause concern in the region, Prime Minister Scott Morrison says.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Japan's Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga observe an honor guard in Tokyo, Japan, 17 November 2020. Source: AAP

Prime Minister Scott Morrison says China shouldn't fear the signing of a landmark defence treaty between Australia and Japan.

Mr Morrison met with Japanese counterpart Yoshihide Suga in Tokyo on Tuesday, becoming the first world leader to meet with the new prime minister on Japanese soil since he took over from Shinzo Abe.