Japan to regularly take part in joint drills with Australia, US

Japan agreed Sunday that its Ground Self-Defense Force will regularly take part in annual joint drills in Australia also involving the United States, ahead of US President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration next year, Report informs via Kyodo News.

During their meeting, Japanese Defense Minister General Nakatani and his Australian and US counterparts, Richard Marles and Lloyd Austin, reaffirmed their commitment to deepening their partnership, while confirming they will set up a new trilateral consultative body.

Following the gathering hosted by Marles in Darwin, the three defense chiefs held a joint press conference expressing concern about the increasingly severe regional security environment. The capital of Australia's Northern Territory is known as a garrison town.

At the news conference, Marles said the regular participation of the GSDF's marine unit, which is responsible for carrying out amphibious operations, would help to bolster interoperability among Australia, Japan and the United States.