Australia will stand with Japan "to assert the rules-based order in this region, and we will do it resolutely," said Marles, who doubles as deputy prime minister. Koizumi called the incidents dangerous and extremely regrettable.

Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said the move will help ensure the quasi-allies can work together more effectively and with greater strategic alignment.

Canberra has reinforced its military relationship with Tokyo as both countries confront rising Beijing military pressure and warn regional security is being tested.

Japan and China are at odds once again after Tokyo says Chinese fighter jets aimed their radar beams at Japanese jets on Saturday near Okinawa. Amid those tensions, Tokyo is deepening its defense ties with Canberra.

An Australian government news release on Friday said Canberra is seeking to make early contact with the new administration of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, adding that Australia and Japan have a “shared vision for our region” amid “increasingly complex global challenges”.

Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and his Australian counterpart, Richard Marles, agreed on Sunday to strengthen security cooperation amid Tokyo’s ongoing tensions with Beijing over Taiwan.

SYDNEY, Dec 4 (Reuters) - A majority of Australians, Japanese and Indians believe U.S. President Donald Trump's second term has been bad for their countries, and more Australians see the U.S. as harmful than helpful in Asia, a survey of people in the four countries reported on Thursday.

The defense ministers of Japan and Australia agreed Sunday to step up cooperation, a day after Chinese military aircraft locked their

Japan and Australia call for calm after Chinese radar locks on Japanese jets, escalating regional military tensions.

S/ Koizumi Shinjiro, Japanese Defense Minister / Japan and Australia place importance on order based on the rule of law