With regard to Australia, the Sixth Meeting of Japan-Australia

Ministerial Committee was held in Tokyo in January 1981 and saw the
attendance of the concerned ministers from both countries including Foreign
Minister Ito of Japan, Deputy Prime Minister and Trade and Resource
Minister Anthony and Foreign Minister Street of Australia. A significant
exchange of views was carried out during the conference which primarily
centered on bilateral economic relations and the international economic
situation. Through the conference, friendly and cooperative relations were
further promoted. Furthermore, Japan has made attempts to strengthen and
deepen friendly and cooperative ties with Australia by maintaining close
discussions on not only bilateral relations but also international political and
economic issues.
As for New Zealand, Prime Minister Muldoon officially visited Japan in
April 1981. Friendly and cooperative relations between the two nations
were further strengthened through top-level talks with Prime Minister
Suzuki and other events.
(2) The island nations of the South Pacific region are exerting their self-
help efforts toward nation-building while promoting regional cooperation
for economic and social development through the South Pacific Forum
(SPF) and other fora. They are also placing great expectations on Japan for
economic aid.
Japan is determined to positively extend economic cooperation to these
island nations in response to their self-help efforts for economic and social
development. At the same time, Japan is making efforts to promote friendly
and cooperative relations through the exchange of people and is attempting
to contribute to stability and prosperity in the region.
In 1981, Japan promoted economic cooperation with these island
nations mainly through technical cooperation and grant aid. Furthermore,
Japan has strengthened friendly and cooperative ties through invitational
diplomacy