January 19, 2018

While the North Korean threat loomed large, a meeting between the prime ministers of Japan and Australia in Tokyo yesterday bore the undercurrents of China's growing sphere of influence and doubts over the United States' commitment in the region.

These factors, observers said, have pushed Tokyo and Canberra closer together militarily as they seek to ensure a "free, open, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific region" based on a "rules-based order".

The two nations, described as "special strategic partners" or "quasi-allies", yesterday vowed the early fruition of a pivotal security pact that will enable their troops to train on each other's soil.

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http://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/australia-japan-eye-closer-military-ties