Australia will sign a historic security treaty with Japan which will improve cooperation between the respective defence forces.

The treaty will be signed at a virtual leaders’ summit on Thursday between Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio.

Mr Morrison said the treaty will underpin “greater and more complex engagement” between the two countries.

“This treaty will be a statement of our two nations’ commitment to work together in meeting the shared strategic security challenges we face and to contribute to a secure and stable Indo-Pacific,” he said.

“It will, for the first time, provide a clear framework for enhanced interoperability and cooperation between our two forces.”

The treaty will support the countries to work together to identify opportunities for collaboration on clean energy and critical technologies.

“Our cooperation also includes an expanding agenda for the Quad with India and the United States, and our shared technology-led approach to reducing carbon emissions,” Mr Morrison said.

– AAP