Japanese forces will soon begin training with American marines in the Northern Territory, in a show of cooperation against
.
The announcement will be made as Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles hosts the US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Japanese Defence Minister Gen Nakatani in Darwin on Sunday.
"The leaders are expected to announce that Japan will begin integrating its forces into US Marine Rotational Force-Darwin rotations where they will train alongside US and Australian forces beginning next year," a statement from the US Defence Department said.
The three defence ministers will hold formal talks on regional stability and visit the cenotaph on Darwin's esplanade that also houses a memorial to
in 1942 which killed 252 people.
The US has a
with Australia to station troops in Darwin, rotating forces through the tropical capital city.
Defense Minister Richard Marles, second left, inspects an honor guard during his visit to Tokyo last year. Source: AAP / Kim Kyung-Hoon
About 2,000 US troops are deployed to the top end each year, in a deal struck in 2011 that's in place for 25 years.
Marles said the inclusion of Japanese forces presented a "fantastic opportunity" for Australia.
"We have spoken to Japan about having their amphibious rapid deployment brigade doing training with our own defence force, with our own army, and with the US Marines," Marles told Sky News.
"Having a more forward-leaning opportunity for greater training with Japan and the US together is a really fantastic opportunity."
Asked if the increased military cooperation would anger Beijing, Marles said the decision was about building the nation's capability.
Richard Marles meeting with his US and Japanese defence counterparts in Darwin on 17 November. Source: SBS News / Anna Henderson
"What we are focused on ... is building the best relationships possible with like-minded countries, with our friends and with our allies," he said.
Japan is also being drawn into discussions about joining the technology sharing agreement that makes up pillar two of the
.
That collaboration does not include the
between Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom.
This year, the nations have jointly expressed concerns about
. Japan lodged a complaint claiming China entered its territorial waters with vessels that appeared to be carrying cannons.
It will be a farewell meeting for Lloyd Austin during the so-called "
period of the Biden presidency.
Austin, a US Army four-star general, will make way for Donald Trump's
.
Hegseth served in the national guard and is best known for his role as a Fox News presenter and outspoken critic of the military.
With additional reporting from the Australian Associated Press.
English (US) ·