Japanese Minister Postpones Visit to Australia

Postponement of Visit to Australia by Mr. Taro Aso, Minister for Foreign Affairs

1. In the evening of January 6 (Japan time), the U.S. Government informed the Government of Japan that U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice had to postpone her visit to Australia. Having received the same information, Australia notified Japan in the morning of January 7 (Japan time) of its wishes to postpone the "Japan-U.S.-Australia Trilateral Security Dialogue."

2. Considering these communications and other circumstances, the Government of Japan has decided to postpone Mr. Aso's visit to Australia and to reschedule the "Japan-U.S. Strategic Dialogue" and the "Japan-U.S.-Australia Trilateral Security Dialogue."

3. The Government of Japan will further consider Mr. Aso's future visit to Australia.

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