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Japanese PM set for Aus visit

Closer trade and security ties will be on the agenda when Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe makes a bilateral visit to Australia this week.

Mr Abe and his wife Akie will arrive in Canberra on Monday night.

It’s the first bilateral visit to Australia by a Japanese leader in 12 years.

Mr Abe will have the rare privilege of addressing a joint sitting of parliament on Tuesday.

The Senate will already be sitting but House of Representatives members will be brought back especially for the speech.

Trade and investment will be a key focus for Mr Abe and his business delegation.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott and Mr Abe will sign the free trade deal which was settled in April.

The agreement is important for the Australian agricultural industry – with Australian beef, cheese, horticulture and wine to get better access to the Japanese market, Mr Abbott said.

Consumers will benefit from less expensive household appliances and electronics.

Labor has called on the government to release the full text of the Japan-Australia Economic Partnership Agreement amid concerns from some farm sectors about missing out on concessions.

Opposition trade spokeswoman Penny Wong lamented that so far only a five-page pamphlet had been released.

Improved defence ties are on the cards with Mr Abbott and Mr Abe to sign an agreement on equipment and technology.

Mr Abe will attend a meeting of the national security committee of cabinet – a gesture that replicates Mr Abbott’s invitation to attend a Japanese national security committee meeting in April.

There’s also speculation in the Japanese media that the two countries will sign a “visiting forces agreement” opening the door to disaster relief co-operation and joint military exercises.

Japan has not signed an agreement of that nature before with other countries, according to English language newspaper The Japan News – Yomiuri Shimbun.

Last week, Mr Abe announced a reinterpretation of his nation’s pacifist constitution to allow Japanese armed forces to come to the aid of friendly nations under attack.

Previously the constitution only allowed armed forces to act in Japan’s self-defence.

The move was welcomed by Australia, with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) saying it would allow Japan to make a greater contribution to international peace and stability.

But some experts have warned Japan’s decision to expand the scope for military action could inflame tensions with China and South Korea.

Mr Abe will visit iron mines in the Pilbara region in Western Australia later in the week.

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