Japan, Australia to sign defence pact in Tokyo

TOKYO, Mar 13 (Reuters) Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was set to sign a ground-breaking defence pact with Australian Prime Minister John Howard today that both leaders have emphasised is not aimed at reining in China.

The agreement will make Australia a closer security ally of Japan than any country except the United States.

''As we look to the future, rather than to the past, it will be important for Australian and Japanese forces in different ways, consistent with the constitution of Japan, to work together more frequently and more closely in providing security for our region,'' Howard said in a speech after meeting Defence Minister Fumio Kyuma.

Some Australians still have bitter feelings about Japan because of World War Two, and Howard has said he'd bring up Abe's recent comments denying the Japanese government directly forced women to become wartime sex slaves for Japanese soldiers.

Japan has in recent years pushed the limits of its US-drafted pacifist constitution, and Abe wants to rewrite the document to clarify the legal status of its military and facilitate a bigger global security role.

The four-part defence agreement sets priorities for security cooperation in such areas as counter-terrorism, maritime security, border protection and disaster relief.

It also sets out shared regional concerns.

The agreement comes after North Korea shook the region with nuclear and missile tests last year and China shot down a satellite in January, sparking increased concern over Beijing's rising military might.

NOT AIMED AT CHINA Echoing earlier remarks by Howard, Abe said the deal was not aimed at reining in China and that it would help stabilise the entire Asia-Pacific region.

''For our two countries to cooperate promotes the development of the region, as well as contributing to peace and security in the world at large,'' Abe told Australian Broadcasting Corp.

radio, speaking through an interpreter.

''Japan and Australia are important partners together sharing common values and common strategic interests,'' Abe said.

Australia has said the pact may lead to intelligence sharing and Japanese troops participating in exercises on Australian soil, although both countries have pointed out that it will not be a mutual defence treaty like Tokyo has with Washington.

Tokyo and Canberra will draw up an action plan after signing the agreement, with officials to work out how military forces from both countries will work together.

The two countries already have a history of military cooperation. Howard hosted a ceremony at his Tokyo hotel on Tuesday to thank a group of uniformed Japanese troops representing those who served with the Australian forces on a reconstruction mission in southern Iraq.

As the United States' most loyal allies in the Asia-Pacific, both countries sent troops to Iraq.

Japan withdrew its ground forces last year, leaving air force personnel based in Kuwait who are still transporting supplies to the US-led coalition.

Japan, Australia and the United States have already tightened three-way security ties through regular dialogue.

Tokyo and Canberra are also to start talks on a free trade agreement next month that builds on a trade deal Japan and Australia signed 50 years ago. That deal paved the way for Japan's emergence as Australia's biggest export market.

Japan and Australia's two-way trade in goods and services was worth about 4.07 trillion yen (34.65 billion dollars) in the 2005-2006 business year. Australia mainly exports coal, natural gas and beef and buys Japanese motor vehicles and machinery.

REUTERS RL KP1028