Australian PM to host Japanese counterpart in late October

SYDNEY (Reuters) -Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio is due to visit Australia this month on a trip that will include the city of Perth, the capital of the mineral and energy export state of Western Australia, the Australian leader said on Monday.

Speaking to radio, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese did not give an exact date for the visit but said a meeting with his Japanese counterpart was planned.

“I will be back there (Perth) in two weeks’ time … And I’ll also be hosting a bilateral meeting with the Japanese prime minister. Rather than bringing the prime minister of Japan to Canberra or Melbourne, taking him to Perth.”

The Australian prime minister’s office did not immediately respond to a Reuters query seeking the dates of the official visit and if Kishida would visit any cities besides Perth.

Speaking in Japan, Kishida told reporters the schedule of the visit had yet to be determined.

“I’ve been trying to visit Australia as soon as possible, but as far as I know, the arrangements are still being made at this point. The schedule has not yet been finalised.”

Japanese public broadcaster NHK reported last week the visit was planned for late October.

(Reporting by Lewis Jackson; additional reporting by Kantaro Komiya; Editing by Michael Perry, Robert Birsel)