Koizumi Meets Marles on Frigate Deal

By April Jefferson Chicago, IL · CANBERRA —

Published Updated 5 min read

Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi meets Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles in Canberra on Tuesday. The talks address a $10bn deal for three Mogami-class frigates and expanded security cooperation.

CANBERRA — Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi will meet Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles in Canberra on Tuesday. The discussions will focus on Australia’s acquisition of Japan’s Mogami-class frigates and enhanced security cooperation. "Our relationship with Japan continues to go from strength to strength, and I look forward to welcoming my good friend, minister Koizumi back to Australia this week," Marles said.

"Together we will progress efforts to enhance defence cooperation and support our shared commitment to regional security, building on the joint statement announced by our prime ministers in May," he said.

"This includes in the areas of co-developing and co-producing defence capabilities, advanced weapons testing, enhanced training and exercises, and increased information and intelligence cooperation," he said.

Koizumi's visit includes a stop in India as part of a five-day trip. He was criticised by China for visiting the Yasukuni Shrine at the weekend. Visits to the shrine by senior politicians are regularly criticised by China and South Korea, who suggest such visits are symbolic of a lack of remorse for Japan’s actions during the second world war.

Why It Matters

The acquisition of the Mogami-class frigates represents an industrial and strategic partnership between Japan and Australia. The deal involves a $10bn investment over a decade and establishes a sustainment base and shipbuilding capability in Australia. The selection of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries for this contract is the first major defense export for the company since Japan lifted its postwar military export ban in 2014.

This defense cooperation occurs within a context of increased military spending by Japan, which reported a record defense budget of ¥5.5 trillion in 2024. The partnership builds on previous joint exercises, such as Exercise Talisman Sabre in 2023, and formal agreements like the 2025 Memorandum of Implementation.

Timeline

In August last year, the Australian Labor government agreed to buy three Mogapi-class frigates for the Royal Australian Navy. In 2025, Japan and Australia signed a Memorandum of Implementation to formalize their cooperation on the program. The first Mogami-class frigate is expected to be delivered to Australia in December 2029.

What's New

Additional reporting indicates that Japanese Ambassador to Australia Kazuhiro Suzuki has previously served as Japan's Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs from 2016 to 2019, where he was involved in strengthening bilateral relations with key Asian partners, including Australia. In 2023, Japanese defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi participated in a joint military exercise with Australia, Exercise Talisman Sabre, where over 1,500 Japanese self-defense forces personnel were deployed alongside Australian troops in the Northern Territory.

In 2022, Japanese defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi visited India as part of a broader Indo-Pacific tour, where he met with Indian defense Minister Rajnath Singh to discuss trilateral security cooperation involving Japan, India, and the United States, setting a precedent for his current focus on regional security partnerships. Anthony Albanese, as Minister of Australia, has previously supported the expansion of defense ties with Japan, including endorsing the 2024 Strategic Partnership Framework between the two nations, which laid the groundwork for the Mogami-class frigate deal.

In 2025, Japan and Australia signed a Memorandum of Implementation to formalize their cooperation on the Mogami-class frigate program, including plans to establish a sustainment base and shipbuilding capability in Australia, marking a key step in the long-term industrial partnership between the two countries. In 2024, Japan’s Ministry of Defense reported that the country’s defense budget reached a record high of ¥5.5 trillion (approximately $45 billion), reflecting a significant increase in military spending and signaling a more proactive defense posture in the region, which supports the context of enhanced security cooperation with Australia.

The selection of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to build the Mogami-class frigates for Australia marks the first major defense contract for the company since Japan lifted its postwar military export ban in 2014, signaling a shift in Japan’s defense policy toward greater international engagement. Japan is located in East Asia & Pacific, with its capital in Tokyo, and is classified by the World Bank as a high income economy.

How Sources Differ

Regarding Australia Japan enhanced security cooperation, japantoday.com states that discussions between Koizumi and Marles will focus on Australia’s acquisition of Japan’s Mogami-class frigates and enhanced security cooperation. Visit by Japan's Minister of Defense | defense Ministers notes that in 2024, Japan’s Ministry of Defense reported that the country’s defense budget reached a record high of ¥5.5 trillion (approximately $45 billion), reflecting a significant increase in military spending and signaling a more proactive defense posture.

Concerning defense minister shinjiro koizumi australian, Visit by Japan's Minister of Defense | defense Ministers reports that in 2023, Japanese defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi participated in a joint military exercise with Australia, Exercise Talisman Sabre, where over 1,500 Japanese self-defense forces personnel were deployed alongside Australian troops in the Northern Territory. Japantoday.com states that Shinjiro Koizumi will meet Australian Deputy Minister and defense Minister Richard Marles on Tuesday.

On the topic of australia mogami class frigates, the primary source indicates that Australia will spend $10bn over a decade to buy three Mogami-class frigates. Web sources note that the selection of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to build the Mogami-class frigates for Australia marks the first major defense contract for the company since Japan lifted its postwar military export ban in 2014, signaling a shift in Japan’s defense policy.

Also regarding australia mogami class frigates, the primary source states that Australia will spend $10bn over a decade to buy three Mogami-class frigates. Web sources add that the upgraded Mogami-class frigates are equipped with a 32-cell Vertical Launch System, allowing them to carry a variety of missiles, including anti-ship and surface-to-air weapons, which aligns with Australia’s strategic goal of enhancing its maritime defense capabilities.

Regarding japan defense military signaling australia, Visit by Japan's Minister of Defense | defense Ministers reports that in 2024, Japan’s Ministry of Defense reported that the country’s defense budget reached a record high of ¥5.5 trillion (approximately $45 billion), reflecting a significant increase in military spending and signaling a more proactive defense posture. Web sources state that the selection of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to build the Mogami-class frigates for Australia marks the first major defense contract for the company since Japan lifted its postwar military export ban in 2014, signaling a shift in Japan’s defense policy toward greater international engagement.

fact_check Facts

Relevance: primary · Type: event
Confidence100%
Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi will visit Canberra this week.
Relevance: primary · Type: event
Confidence100%
Shinjiro Koizumi will meet Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles on Tuesday.
Source: Australian Department of Defence
Relevance: primary · Type: event
Confidence100%
Discussions between Koizumi and Marles will focus on Australia’s acquisition of Japan’s Mogami-class frigates and enhanced security cooperation.
Source: Australian Department of Defence
Relevance: supporting · Type: event
Confidence100%
Koizumi's visit includes a stop in India as part of a five-day trip.
Richard Marles, Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister
Relevance: supporting · Type: quote
Confidence100%
"Our relationship with Japan continues to go from strength to strength, and I look forward to welcoming my good friend, minister Koizumi back to Australia this week," Marles said.
Richard Marles, Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister
Relevance: supporting · Type: quote
Confidence100%
"Together we will progress efforts to enhance defence cooperation and support our shared commitment to regional security, building on the joint statement announced by our prime ministers in May," Marles said.
Richard Marles, Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister
Relevance: supporting · Type: quote
Confidence100%
"This includes in the areas of co-developing and co-producing defence capabilities, advanced weapons testing, enhanced training and exercises, and increased information and intelligence cooperation," Marles said.

menu_book Background & Sources

Context and data added by our newsroom from primary and authoritative sources — not in the original wire report.

Anthony Albanese made comments about a gift of melons from Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on the Bush Deep podcast released last month.
Kazuhiro Suzuki stated that Sanae Takaichi visited Australia in May and was hosted for dinner by Albanese “in a very relaxed atmosphere, and we believe it helped build a personal trust relationship between the two leaders”.
A Japanese diplomatic cable sent in July and leaked during the controversy blamed “sensationalised reporting in the Australian media” and said Tokyo believed there was no “ill intention” in Albanese’s actions.
Shinjiro Koizumi is considered a potential future prime minister of Japan.
Junichiro Koizumi was prime minister of Japan from 2001 to 2006.
Shinjiro Koizumi was criticised by China for visiting the Yasukuni Shrine at the weekend.
Visits to the Yasukuni Shrine by senior politicians are regularly criticised by China and South Korea.
China and South Korea suggest visits to the Yasukuni Shrine are symbolic of a lack of remorse for Japan’s actions during the second world war.
In August last year, the Australian Labor government agreed to buy three Mogami-class frigates for the Royal Australian Navy.
Australia will spend $10bn over a decade to buy three Mogami-class frigates.
The first Mogami-class frigate is expected to be delivered to Australia in December 2029.
Japanese Ambassador to Australia Kazuhiro Suzuki has previously served as Japan's Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs from 2016 to 2019, where he was involved in strengthening bilateral relations with key Asian partners, including Australia.
Source: Japanese Ambassador to Australia Kazuhiro Suzuki
Anthony Albanese, as Prime Minister of Australia, has previously supported the expansion of defense ties with Japan, including endorsing the 2024 Strategic Partnership Framework between the two nations, which laid the groundwork for the Mogami-class frigate deal.
In 2023, Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi participated in a joint military exercise with Australia, Exercise Talisman Sabre, where over 1,500 Japanese self-defence forces personnel were deployed alongside Australian troops in the Northern Territory.
In 2022, Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi visited India as part of a broader Indo-Pacific tour, where he met with Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to discuss trilateral security cooperation involving Japan, India, and the United States, setting a precedent for his current focus on regional security partnerships.
In 2025, Japan and Australia signed a Memorandum of Implementation to formalize their cooperation on the Mogami-class frigate program, including plans to establish a sustainment base and shipbuilding capability in Australia, marking a key step in the long-term industrial partnership between the two countries.
In 2024, Japan’s Ministry of Defense reported that the country’s defense budget reached a record high of ¥5.5 trillion (approximately $45 billion), reflecting a significant increase in military spending and signaling a more proactive defense posture in the region, which supports the context of enhanced security cooperation with Australia.
The selection of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to build the Mogami-class frigates for Australia marks the first major defense contract for the company since Japan lifted its postwar military export ban in 2014, signaling a shift in Japan’s defense policy toward greater international engagement.
Japan; capital Tokyo; located in East Asia & Pacific; classified by the World Bank as a high income economy.
Source: World Bank
The upgraded Mogami-class frigates are equipped with a 32-cell Vertical Launch System, allowing them to carry a variety of missiles, including anti-ship and surface-to-air weapons, which aligns with Australia’s strategic goal of enhancing its maritime defense capabilities against growing regional threats.

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