Australia and Japan have agreed to deepen their economic, energy, and defence cooperation in response to growing global instability, particularly the shocks caused by conflict in the Middle East.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi marked 50 years of bilateral friendship by signing a new Joint Declaration on Economic Security and Cooperation.

The agreement focuses on building trusted and resilient supply chains in fuel, energy, critical minerals, food, and technology to reduce exposure to global disruptions.

Albanese said the Joint Statement on Energy Security reaffirms both countries’ commitment to managing the current energy crisis together and ensuring the continuity of open trade flows in essential energy resources such as liquid fuels and gas.

He added that the partnership will help reduce vulnerability to global shocks, provide greater stability for farmers during planting seasons, and improve certainty for commuters facing fuel price fluctuations.

The initiative comes as Australia seeks to secure more reliable fuel supplies from allied nations following disruptions to global supply chains linked to conflict in the Middle East.

Both countries also signed additional agreements covering critical minerals, defence cooperation, and support for an open Indo-Pacific region, while instructing their respective ministers to further strengthen bilateral ties.

Takaichi described the discussions as highly productive, noting that the relationship between the two countries has reached a level comparable to “quasi-allies,” and stressed the importance of close coordination during uncertain times.

Japan remains Australia’s third-largest trading partner, while Australia supplies a significant share of Japan’s liquefied natural gas, reinforcing the strategic importance of the partnership.