Australia's Gillard due in Japan to express solidarity, champion FTA

SYDNEY, April 20 Kyodo -
Australia's Prime Minister Julia Gillard said Wednesday she will advocate an early free trade agreement with Japan when she visits the country this week.
However, she said reaffirming Australia's support for Japan in the wake of its earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster is the main focus of her four-day official visit.
Ahead of her arrival in Tokyo on Wednesday evening, Gillard made the remarks in written responses to questions posed by Kyodo News.
''While being aware of the very difficult circumstances Japan currently faces, it remains important for both sides to keep striving to complete a high quality, comprehensive Free Trade Agreement, or Economic Partnership Agreement,'' she said.
''We are committed to concluding such an agreement once Japan is ready to return to the table.''
Japan and Australia launched FTA talks in 2007 and the latest round was held in February after a 10-month hiatus. The next session, initially planned in April, was postponed following the disaster.
Gillard said removing trade barriers would allow Australia contribute to Japan's economic resurgence in such areas as energy and food security.
''A comprehensive FTA will benefit Japanese consumers by giving them greater access to a range of quality products and it will benefit Japanese producers by giving them new opportunities to sell high-quality products in Australia,'' she said.
She added, ''Successful conclusion of our bilateral FTA will also pave the way for a new stage of Japan's integration into regional and global economies.''
During her visit, Gillard will hold talks in Tokyo with Prime Minister Naoto Kan and meet Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko, and also become the first foreign leader to tour tsunami-devastated communities in northeast Japan.
''Like all Australians, I was shocked and saddened by the 11 March earthquake and tsunami,'' she said.
''My visit to Japan provides an opportunity for me to convey personally to the people of Japan -- including in some of the worst-hit areas of Miyagi Prefecture -- the sympathy and support of the Australian people, and to assure the Japanese prime minister that Japan can count on Australia's support at this time.''
Gillard said Australia and Japan are negotiating supply options in the liquefied natural gas sector, as a possible way to compensate for reduced nuclear power supply in Japan due to its crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.
''Japan is our largest customer for LNG and has been a key investment partner in the development of Australia's LNG sector,'' she said. ''Firms in both Australia and Japan are already in negotiations regarding supply options.''
Gillard said she will assure Japan that it can continue to rely on Australia as a key supplier of resources, particularly in the current circumstances.
''Australia is a reliable, long-term supplier of key minerals and resources to Japan and in this time of crisis, Japan has in Australia a secure supplier to continue to meet its energy needs,'' she said.
Gillard will be the second foreign leader to visit Japan since the disaster following French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who made a brief stopover in Tokyo on March 31, but she will be the first to make an official working visit at Japan's invitation.
Gillard said that while the main focus of her visit will be demonstrating Australia's solidarity with the Japanese people, the two countries do have their differences, with Australia continuing to oppose Japanese whaling in Antarctic waters.
''The governments of both Australia and Japan have consistently said that we do not want our differences on whaling to impact on others aspects of what is a very strong partnership and close friendship,'' she said.
Australia and Japan have been engaged in a legal battle at the International Court of Justice since May last year when then Prime Minister Kevin Rudd launched legal action to permanently end Japanese whaling activities in Antarctic waters.
Meanwhile, Japan has demanded that Australia take measures to prevent the conservation group Sea Shepherd, whose ships dock in Australian ports, from carrying out obstructionist activities against the Japanese whaling fleet.
Without mentioning any specific organization, Gillard said, ''While we oppose whaling, we do not support dangerous or unlawful protest activities against whaling.''
''We respect the right to peaceful protest, but we also condemn any action which puts safety at sea at risk.''
Gillard concluded by telling Kyodo News she hopes the triple disaster that hit Japan, while regrettable, will have the effect of strengthening Australia's cooperation with Japan.
In the wake of the disaster, Australia was one of many countries that contributed to the recovery effort. It dispatched a search-and-rescue team, contributed funds and sent aircraft for the relief effort and to transport equipment to stabilize the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.
''I have made it clear to Prime Minister Kan that Australia stands ready to provide whatever assistance the Japanese government needs,'' Gillard said.
After Japan, Gillard will visit South Korea and China en route to British royal wedding in London on April 29.