日豪防衛相、１９日に会談

　木原稔防衛相は１７日の記者会見で、オーストラリアのマールズ国防相と１９日に防衛省で会談すると発表した。自衛隊と豪軍の相互訪問手続きを簡素化する「円滑化協定」が８月に発効したことを踏まえ、共同訓練の拡大や運用面の連携向上について議論する。（2023/10/17-12:18）

Japanese Defense Minister Minoru Kihara said Tuesday that he will meet with his Australian counterpart, Richard Marles, in Tokyo on Thursday to discuss strengthening their countries' security cooperation.
   The meeting comes after the Japan-Australia Reciprocal Access Agreement went into effect in August to simplify procedures for reciprocal visits by Japan's Self-Defense Forces and the Australian military.
   At the meeting, the ministers are expected to discuss expanding joint training between the two sides and developing their operational partnership.
   Japan and Australia have postponed a so-called two-plus-two meeting of their foreign and defense ministers that was planned to be held in Tokyo on Friday, citing the situation in the Middle East and other reasons.