MELBOURNE, April 19 (Xinhua) -- Australia and Japan signed the "Mogami Memorandum" in Melbourne on Saturday on Australia's general purpose frigate project based on the upgraded Japanese Mogami-class design, according to the Australian Defense Ministry.
Australia's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defense Richard Marles signed the memorandum with visiting Japanese Minister of Defense Koizumi Shinjiro.
The ministry said contracts have also been signed for the Royal Australian Navy's first three general purpose frigates. Built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, the ships will be of the upgraded Japanese Mogami-class design.
Future ships are planned to be constructed in Western Australia, subject to the consolidation of the Henderson Defense Precinct. Under the 2026 Integrated Investment Program released this week, Australia plans to invest up to 20 billion Australian dollars over the next decade in general purpose frigates.
The move comes as Japan is considering revising the implementation guidelines of its "three principles on transfer of defense equipment and technology" to further ease restrictions on arms exports.
Earlier this month, senior figures from several Japanese opposition parties joined thousands of citizens in Tokyo to protest the government's push to ease restrictions on arms exports.
Protesters rallied in Tokyo on April 16 against the government's plan to scrap restrictions on lethal weapons exports. Protesters held placards reading "No to arms exports" and "Japan must not become a merchant of death." ■