Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) | Hansard source

First, I would say to those opposite that Prime Minister Takaichi is a friend of Australia and a friend of the Prime Minister and the relationship with Japan is closer than it has ever been. I am disappointed that those opposite are so desperate to score political points that they seek to confect a diplomatic issue to do so. The relationship with Japan has bipartisan support, as it should. It is a very important relationship for Australia, and I would emphasise how grateful I am to have the close relationship that I have with Foreign Minister Motegi, who I spoke to just over a fortnight ago on the sidelines of the ASEAN foreign ministers meeting.

Those opposite may know that I have visited Japan, I think, seven times as Foreign minister. This goes to the relationship between Japan and Australia.