Australia, Japan, and the United States are expanding defense cooperation. Analysts say the moves are a response to China's growing military assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific region.
Senior Australian and Japanese officials Thursday met for the 11th Australia-Japan 2+2 Foreign and Defense Ministerial Consultation in the state of Victoria.
Australia’s deputy prime minister and minister for defense, Richard Marles, told reporters that plans were agreed for Japan to join U.S. Marine rotations in northern Australia, as well as more joint exercises and fighter jet deployments.
“The relationship between our two countries really has gone to a very different level. Today we have agreed to enhance our air engagement with greater people-to-people links, more training, greater exercises between our two air forces,” he said.
Long-standing territorial disputes and differences over Taiwan have unsettled Japan’s relations with China.
https://www.voanews.com/a/australia-to-boost-military-cooperation-with-japan-/7773846.html