On my first meeting as prime minister with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, I described Japan as "Australia's best friend in Asia." Some months later, Abe deftly rescued me from the difficulty that had created by upgrading the friendship between Japan and Australia to a "special relationship."
Abe's subsequent visit to Australia and historic address to our parliament — in English — was a high point in our nations' friendship. It is a special relationship because it's not based simply on shared interests but also on shared values.
Japan learned the right lesson from World War II: not to be stronger, so that it could win the next war; but to be better, so that a war should never need to be fought. From the Emperor down, Japanese people underwent a change of heart: no less hard-working, meticulous, respectful or proud of country than before; but now much more conscious of responsibilities toward others at home and abroad.