Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe says Australia and the United States can help build a new international order in the Asia-Pacific.

Mr Abe is visiting Canberra on Tuesday to sign a free-trade agreement and a new deal to transfer defence equipment and technology.

• What the free-trade deal means for Australia

The visit came a week after 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.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott told parliament the move would enable Japan to make a greater contribution to international peace and stability.

But security experts have warned Japan’s decision to expand the scope for military action could inflame tensions with China and South Korea, which have competing claims for territories.

Mr Abe told parliament, in only his third official speech in English since becoming prime minister, that the defence transfer deal would only be the first part “engraving the special relationship in our future”.

The relationship would also involve Australia and Japan “joining hands with the United States, an ally for both our nations”.

“We want to make Japan a country that will work to build an international order that upholds the role of law … to make the vast seas from the Pacific Ocean to the Indian, and those skies, open and free.”

Mr Abe and Mr Abbott will also sign the Japan-Australia Economic Partnership Agreement, which is expected to enable more than 97 per cent of Australian exports to enter Japan duty free or receive preferential access.

The tariff on beef, Australia’s biggest export to Japan, will be halved over time delivering an estimated benefit of up to $400 million a year.

Australian consumers will benefit from cheaper imported cars, whitegoods and electronics from Japan.

Labor has called on the government to release the full text of the agreement amid concerns from some farm sectors about being left out.

Mr Abe, whose country will host the 2020 Olympics, paid tribute to former Olympian Dawn Fraser who was in the parliament’s public gallery for his speech.

“To me, you are Australia,” he said, adding that he hoped for a “new dawn” for Japan.

The charismatic leader also singled out from the gallery, Rob McNeil, who led a rescue team in the aftermath of the 2011 tsunami disaster.

The Japanese leader opened his speech pledging his country would never again follow the path of aggression and war.

“We will never let the horrors of the past century’s history repeat themselves,” he said.

“I stand here in the Australian legislative chamber to state this vow to you, solemnly and proudly.”

Mr Abe paid tribute to the fathers and grandfathers who fought in places like Kokoda and Sandakan.

Mr Abbott said Australia welcomed Japan’s decision to be a “more capable strategic partner in our region”.

But he added: “Our is not a partnership against anyone, it is a partnership for peace, for prosperity and for the rule of law.”

AAP