Larry Williams Drive

On the back of historic discussions with China, Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles will travel to Japan this week with a sharp focus on security in the region.Mr Marles will make his first visit to north Asia on Monday, travelling straight from Singapore, where he attended the Shangri-La Dialogue.While there, he held Australia’s first ministerial discussion with China in more than two years, during which he affirmed Australia’s concerns about Chinese military might and its position in the Indo-Pacific.Mr Marles will continue to voice his concerns while in Tokyo, where he will meet with his Defence counterpart, Minister Nobuo Kishi, to discuss the two countries’ shared approach in the Indo-Pacific and to reaffirm a commitment to the Australia-Japan Special Strategic Partnership.“I am delighted to be in Japan as one of my first international visits as Deputy Prime Minister. Australia and Japan share a vision for an open and inclusive Indo-Pacific region, one where the sovereignty of all states is respected,”