Japan, Australia agree to further step up defence cooperation

Japan and Australia agreed on October 19 to further expand defence ties, including with joint military exercises, under their upgraded security pact that took effect two months ago amid mutual concern about China's growing influence in the region.

The two countries have rapidly developed close defence ties in recent years, and Japan considers Australia as a semi-ally, its closest security partner after the United States, its only treaty ally.

Japan's Defense Minister Minoru Kihara and his Australian counterpart, Richard Marles, also agreed during talks in Tokyo to step up their three-way military cooperation with the United States, the Japanese Defense Ministry said in a statement, according to ABC News.

Kihara and Marles said that deepening their operational cooperation and joint exercises, and enhancing interoperability, were important steps in increasing their bilateral defence ties. The two ministers confirmed that there was continuing progress in those areas under their Reciprocal Access Agreement, which took effect in August.

The agreement is aimed at breaking down legal barriers to allow troops to enter each other's country for training and other purposes. Other than with the United States, Japan has such defence pacts with only Australia and Britain.

Australia has stepped up engagement in the South Pacific where it is concerned about China's growing involvement, including the signing of a security pact with the Solomon Islands.

Under the new security agreement, Japan and Australia are discussing exercises deploying F-35A fighter jets to both countries, the Japanese ministry said.