Japan's Abe declares peace goals in historic Australia visit

He said that Japan was determined to do more to enhance peace in the region and peace in the world

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe today declared his determination to pursue peace in Asia, as he signalled closer defence ties with Australia and prepared to rubber-stamp an ambitious free-trade agreement.

Abe used an historic address to a joint sitting of Australia's parliament to say that Japan "is now determined to do more to enhance peace in the region and peace in the world".

"It is to put that determination into concrete action that Japan has chosen to strengthen its ties with Australia," Abe, the first Japanese leader to address Australia's parliament, said.

"Our countries both love peace. We value freedom and democracy and we hold human rights and the rule of law dear," he said, calling the relationship between the two countries "special".

The two countries were to sign an agreement allowing for the transfer of Japanese defence equipment and technology to Australia, just days after Tokyo declared its powerful military had the right to go into battle in defence of allies.

The military declaration irked China, Australia's largest trading partner, which has a fractious relationship with Japan including tensions over hotly contested islands in the East China Sea.

Abe said his country's push to "change its legal basis for security" was so it could work with other nations and "build an international order that upholds the rule of law".

"Our desire is to make Japan a country that is all the more willing to contribute to peace in the region and beyond," he said in his address, which was delivered in English.

"It is for this reason that Japan has raised the banner of proactive contribution to peace.

"In everything we say and do, we must follow the law and never fall back onto force or coercion. When there are disputes, we must always use peaceful means to find solutions."

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott echoed Abe's emphasis on the push for peace in the Asia-Pacific as he welcomed Japan's decision to be "a more capable strategic partner in our region".

"Ours is not a partnership against anyone; it's a partnership for peace, for prosperity and for the rule of law," he said, offering China reassurance.

"Our objective is engagement. We both welcome the greater trust and openness in our region that's exemplified by China's participation in this year's RimPac (Rim of the Pacific) naval exercises.