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Japanese military forces will join U.S. Marines for training exercises in northern Australia’s territory beginning in 2025, as announced during high-level discussions in Darwin on Sunday.
The announcement came during a meeting between Australia’s Defence Minister Richard Marles and U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, who gathered with Japanese official Nakatani Gen to address regional security concerns, particularly regarding potential Chinese actions toward Taiwan.
I toured Royal Australian Air Force Base Darwin today, wrapping up a productive series of meetings with @ModJapan_en and @RichardMarlesMP. Together, the U.S., Japan, and Australia will continue to work together to safeguard peace and security in the Indo-Pacific and beyond. pic.twitter.com/gnmuiQJxUS
— Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III (@SecDef) November 17, 2024
At a Darwin press conference, Marles revealed plans for Japan’s amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade to establish regular deployments in Australia. The decision reflects strengthening military cooperation between the three nations.
In his earlier remarks, Marles highlighted how the partnership between these countries stems from their shared principles and mutual trust, emphasizing their dedication to maintaining stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
With mounting unease over China’s military expansion in the South China Sea, Marles stressed that this alliance plays a vital role in regional deterrence efforts.
Anti-war protests erupted in Tokyo, Japan’s capital, amid rising tensions over the country’s deepening alliance with the US in its standoff with China. Japan hosts 15 major US military bases and approximately 55,000 active US troops. pic.twitter.com/MXAEKsw2bp
— red. (@redstreamnet) November 4, 2024
The U.S. currently maintains a presence of approximately 2,000 military personnel in northern Australia between April and October annually, operating under an agreement established in 2011 that spans 25 years.
Additionally, Australian authorities are evaluating the possibility of permitting U.S. forces to conduct long-range surveillance drone operations from their territory, covering the South West Pacific region and beyond.
