Japan has announced plans to send troops for joint military training with the United States Marines and Australian forces in northern Australia. This trilateral cooperation comes amid growing concerns over China’s increasingly assertive military activities in the region. The decision was revealed during talks in Darwin on Sunday, where Australia’s Acting Prime Minister Richard Marles hosted U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Japanese Defense Minister Nakatani Gen.
The defense ministers confirmed that trilateral amphibious training would commence in 2025 as part of Exercise Talisman Sabre, a large-scale biennial exercise. They also announced Australia’s participation in Exercise Orient Shield in Japan for the first time next year, signaling a significant escalation in defense collaboration between the three nations.
“Having a more forward-leaning opportunity for greater training with Japan and the US together is a really fantastic opportunity,” said Marles, who also serves as Australia’s defense minister. He emphasized the importance of building stronger military ties with like-minded allies in response to regional security challenges.
In a joint statement, the defense ministers expressed “serious concern” over destabilizing actions in the East and South China Seas. These concerns include “dangerous conduct” by the Chinese military, particularly against Philippine vessels and others operating in the region. China claims nearly the entire South China Sea as its territory, an assertion that has led to multiple confrontations with neighboring nations.
The statement also highlighted the need to maintain peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, a flashpoint in U.S.-China relations. China, which considers Taiwan a breakaway province, has ramped up its military activities around the island, including frequent drills that many view as a form of harassment.
While the joint training exercises aim to bolster defense capabilities, the announcement is likely to draw criticism from Beijing. When asked if the increased military cooperation might provoke China, Marles downplayed such concerns, asserting that the move focuses on strengthening ties with allied nations rather than antagonizing others.
“This is about building the best relationships possible with like-minded countries, with our friends and with our allies,” Marles said.
The decision reflects a shared commitment among Australia, Japan, and the United States to uphold a rules-based international order in the Indo-Pacific, particularly in the face of China’s expanding military footprint.
Exercise Talisman Sabre has long been a cornerstone of U.S.-Australia defense cooperation. Adding Japan to this training signals a significant step toward greater interoperability among the three countries. The exercise, which involves complex amphibious landings, live-fire drills, and coordination of land, sea, and air forces, will allow Japan’s Self-Defense Forces to gain firsthand experience operating alongside U.S. Marines and Australian troops.
Incorporating Japan into such training also reflects broader strategic shifts in the Indo-Pacific, where allied nations are increasingly working together to counterbalance China’s military assertiveness. The involvement of Japanese troops in northern Australia could further deepen Japan’s role in regional security architecture.
Australia has been actively expanding its defense partnerships in recent years. The decision to host Japanese troops during U.S. Marine rotations in northern Australia underscores its growing role as a central hub for allied military activities in the Indo-Pacific.
“This partnership represents a significant step forward in ensuring regional stability and readiness to address security challenges,” Marles said. Australia’s participation in Exercise Orient Shield in Japan next year will further deepen military ties between the two nations.
These developments come on the heels of the AUKUS pact, a trilateral security agreement between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, which has seen Australia invest in advanced defense technologies, including nuclear-powered submarines.
China’s claims over the South China Sea have led to mounting tensions, particularly with Southeast Asian nations like the Philippines and Vietnam. Its construction of artificial islands equipped with military installations has drawn widespread condemnation. In addition, Beijing’s aggressive maneuvers, such as the ramming of Philippine fishing vessels, have further strained regional relations.
Beijing’s actions around Taiwan have also sparked alarm. Frequent air incursions into Taiwan’s air defense identification zone (ADIZ) and naval exercises in nearby waters are seen as part of a broader strategy to pressure the self-governed island into submission.
The Philippines has welcomed the renewed focus on regional security. As a claimant in the South China Sea dispute, it has repeatedly called for international support to counter Chinese aggression. Filipino officials view the increased U.S., Japanese, and Australian presence as a stabilizing factor in the region.
However, other Southeast Asian nations remain cautious. While some see these joint exercises as a necessary counterbalance to China, others are wary of being drawn into great-power competition.
The Taiwan Strait remains one of the most sensitive areas in the Indo-Pacific. With China ramping up military activities around Taiwan, the risk of miscalculation or accidental escalation has grown significantly. The United States has reaffirmed its commitment to Taiwan under the Taiwan Relations Act, which obligates Washington to provide defensive support to the island.
Japan’s decision to deepen military cooperation with the U.S. and Australia reflects its growing concerns over regional stability, particularly given its proximity to Taiwan and the East China Sea. As China continues to modernize its military, including its navy and air force, Japan has recognized the need to enhance its defensive capabilities and strengthen alliances.
The upcoming joint exercises aim to enhance interoperability among the three nations’ militaries, allowing for seamless coordination during potential crises. This unity sends a strong message to adversaries about the collective resolve of these democracies to maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific.
Japan’s participation in these exercises also marks a shift in its post-World War II defense policy. Traditionally limited to self-defense under its pacifist constitution, Japan has gradually expanded its military role, including overseas deployments and joint exercises with allies. While these developments reflect a clear intent to deter aggression, they also underscore the delicate balance required in managing relations with China.
