Japan, US, Australia bolster military ties in Darwin

Australia, the United States, and Japan have strengthened their military partnership, integrating Japanese troops into annual joint exercises in Darwin for the first time. The move sends a pointed message to Beijing amid growing concerns over China’s actions in the East and South China Seas.

The trilateral meeting, held on Sunday, included US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin, Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles, and Japanese Defence Minister Nakatani Gen, sending a powerful signal to Beijing about the region’s commitment to stability.

The choice of Darwin for the talks carries historical weight, as it was bombed by Japanese forces during World War II. Nakatani hailed Australia as a “quasi ally,” and the ministers issued a joint statement expressing “serious concern about destabilizing actions in the East and South China Seas.” They also voiced strong opposition to any unilateral attempts to alter the status quo in Taiwan through force or coercion.

“We reiterate our strong opposition to any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion,” the defence ministers stated.

The trilateral partnership marks a significant shift in regional defence dynamics, with Japan’s amphibious rapid deployment brigade set to join US Marines and Australian forces in joint exercises annually from next year. Marles emphasized that this move sends “a very important statement to the region and to the world about the commitment that our three countries have in working with each other.”

Austin, in his farewell address before Donald Trump’s inauguration, reaffirmed the US’s commitment to AUKUS, stressing that future collaborations, including advanced military technologies, would be crucial in promoting security in the Indo-Pacific. He also underscored that Japan is expected to join AUKUS pillar II in the near future.

In addition to joint military operations, the three nations have agreed to consult on regional security issues and contingencies, including natural disasters and military conflicts, further cementing their deepening ties. The announcements come at a time of rising tensions in the region, with North Korea’s missile threats adding urgency to strategic cooperation.

Military expert Jennifer Parker called the developments a “remarkable evolution” in Australia-Japan defence relations, while analysts like Euan Black noted that Australia and Japan now see each other as “second-closest defence partners,” a necessary hedge against potential shifts in US foreign policy under Trump.

The trilateral defense compact represents not only strategic coordination but also a clear response to China’s growing assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific.