Northern Territory Chief Minister Michael Gunner

Japanese PM To Make Historic Visit Into Darwin

Victor P Taffa

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will make an historic visit to Darwin in November this year.

“NT-Japan relationship is based on more than business, it is based on friendship, respect and a profound shared history.” Chief Minister Michael Gunner said.

“We are great business partners, but first and foremost we are great friends and I want to Japan to know it has no better friends in Australia than the people of the Northern Territory.”

Visit, to be hosted by Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Northern Territory Chief Minister Michael Gunner, is ahead of an APEC meeting of regional leaders in Port Moresby.

“This is an incredibly important visit from one of our most significant regional neighbours. It highlights the importance of Australia’s relationship with Japan, and the strategic importance of the Territory.” Chief Minister Michael Gunner said.

“Through our engagement with the Japanese to date, we have also identified job-creating opportunities in agribusiness, telecommunications and data. My next scheduled visit to Japan is in November, the week prior to Prime Minister Abe’s visit to Darwin.”

Prime Minister Abe is expected to visit the Darwin cenotaph to pay official respects to Australian and Japanese soldiers and civilians killed during the bombing, and to inspect the $34 Billion INPEX gas pipeline project, ahead of the first shipment of gas.

This is the first visit to Darwin by a Japanese leader since World War II, when Japanese forces killed more than 250 people during and as a result of the bombings.

 

Abbreviations:

APEC              Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation

NT                   Northern Territory