Japan, Australia to Tighten Ties With Economic Deal, Kyodo Says

Japan and Australia are set to add to their close and burgeoning defense relationship, with the two nations set to seal an economic security deal in early May, Kyodo News reported.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi will sign the deal when she visits Australia, according to the report by Kyodo, with the agreement to cover energy, rare earths, food and other critical commodities, the report said, citing multiple unnamed sources. Takaichi is planning to visit Australia in the first week of May, according to a separate report from the national broadcaster NHK.