Defence Minister Richard Marles has been holding talks with his Japanese counterpart in Geelong.
It has been part of the 11th Australia-Japan 2+2 Foreign and Defence Ministerial Consultation, which continues on Thursday.
Mr Marles and Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong are hosting Kihara Minoru and Kamikawa Yoko.
The member for Corio and Deputy Prime Minister said it was important to strengthen ties with Japan and deep a special strategic partnership.
“Our relationship with Japan is one of the most important relationships that we have in the world today, really,” he said.
“We have very strong strategic alignments between our two countries.”
Mr Marles said it was also the first time a meeting of this level had happened in the Geelong region.
“It lets them know that there is more to Australia than those big cities of Melbourne, Canberra and Sydney.
“As I’ve brought visiting ministers, dignitaries and parliamentarians to Geelong, people are really impressed with our region.”
