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TOKYO - Prime Minister John Howard has wrapped up his three-day visit to Tokyo by signing a security pact with Japan and reinforcing a commitment to free trade talks.
Mr Howard and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe met for more than an hour last night in Mr Abe's official residence before emerging to sign the historic declaration of security cooperation, which sets up a trilateral defence talks arrangement between Japan, Australia and the United States.
The two leaders also discussed the situation in Iraq, Japan's whale slaughter and the treatment of "comfort women", who were forced to work as sex slaves for Japanese troops during World War 2, during their meeting.
After the talks, both men reaffirmed their commitment to a planned free trade agreement (FTA) between the two countries, but acknowledged the special sensitivities of Japanese farmers to competition from Australia.
They both said relations between the countries had come a long way since they were bitter enemies in WW2.
"In the past 60 years after the war, we adhered to the freedom and democracy rule of law, basic human rights, we have co-operated and contributed for the cause of world peace," Mr Abe said through a translator.
"Through this fact, the Australian prime minister and other leaders have placed their trust in Japan.
"Of course we have to be modest and humble to the history. At the same time, we have to be confident about how (far) we have come in the past 60 years and going forward we would like to make further contribution for the peace and development of the world."
Mr Abe is the first Japanese prime minister born since WW2 ended.
Mr Howard said it was important to look at both countries' capacity to look forward, rather than back, and ignore internal suspicions.
"We all have an obligation to recall the past but also to look to the future and to build on the commitment of people to put the past behind them," he said.
"We know the history, we must recognise it. But we also know the history of the last 60 years. And it's been a history where the living standards of Australians have been sustained in part by the custom of Japan. And that is a reality that should never be forgotten by Australians."
Japan is Australia's biggest export market, with two-way trade between the countries coming to almost A$54 billion ($61.69 billion) last year.
- AAP
