Japan and Australia are meeting outside

Foreign and defense ministers from Japan and Australia met outside Melbourne to discuss strengthening security cooperation amid China’s increased military activity. Japan’s Foreign Minister Kamikawa Yoko and Defense Minister Kihara Minoru are taking part in “two plus two” talks with Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Richard Marles, the defense minister, in Queenscliff on Thursday.

Kamikawa described Australia as indispensable to Japan’s security, as the two countries work together to realize a free and open Indo-Pacific. She expressed hope for continuously strengthening cooperation and raising it to a new level. The two sides are likely exchanging views on China’s increasing military activities, such as an intrusion by its military aircraft into Japanese airspace.