Press Releases
The new Japanese government
TK12/2009
17 September 2009
Following is the text of a Media Release by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd on 17 September 2009 regarding the new Japanese Government appointed on 16 September 2009.
The Australian Government welcomes the appointment of the new Japanese government on 16 September. Our relationship with Japan is of key importance to both nations. We share many interests bilaterally, regionally and globally. The Australian Government looks forward to working closely with the government led by Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama in pursuit of those shared interests, including through the United Nations, the G20 and regional organisations. I was pleased to be able to speak to Prime Minister Hatoyama the day after the Japanese election and I look forward to meeting him at a very early opportunity. Australia has had a close working relationship with the previous government in Japan and in particular with former LDP Prime Ministers Fukuda and Aso. With the new Japanese government we will be building a stronger relationship between our countries on a firm foundation.