US and Australia Seek to ‘Integrate’ Japan in Joint Defense Efforts, Says Lloyd Austin

In this handout image provided by the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin (C) is greeted by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (L) and Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles during a lunch at Persone Italian Restaurant in Brisbane, Australia, on July 28, 2023. (Sarah Friend/Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade via Getty Images)

U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said Friday that America and Australia will look at ways to “integrate” Japan in their joint defense efforts as China continues to display aggressive actions in the Indo-Pacific region.

Mr. Austin made these remarks during his meeting with Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles, who also serves as the defense minister, in Brisbane. The meeting took place ahead of the AUSMIN talks, an annual gathering of top diplomats and defense officials from both countries.

“I look forward to discussing many key issues today, including our respective defense strategies,” he said, which included “ground-breaking force posture initiatives and our efforts to integrate Japan into them, and our multilateral cooperation, including AUKUS and the Quad, and our support for Australia’s Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordinance enterprise.”

Mr. Austin and Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Brisbane on Thursday ahead of the meetings being held Friday and Saturday.

During the meeting, Mr. Austin praised the “unbreakable alliance” between the two countries, emphasizing their shared values and history of defending the international rules-based order.

They discussed increasing Japan’s involvement in defense initiatives led by the United States and Australia. Trilateral cooperation with Japan was expected to be a significant topic during the upcoming AUSMIN talks.

The meeting also discussed the Australian Defense Strategic Review, with a particular emphasis on initiatives related to force-posture, collaboration among multiple countries, and the United States’ assistance in enhancing Australia’s guided weapons and explosive ordnance capabilities.

The officials discussed their commitment to strengthening the international rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific to ensure peace and security.

They also expressed concerns about China’s actions, which have been challenging this order in various regions. They pledged to stand by their allies against any bullying behavior, though China was not mentioned by name.

(L-R) U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles, and U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin leave a building at Queensland Government House prior to a press conference in Brisbane on July 29, 2023. (Pat Hoelscher/AFP via Getty Images)

“As we meet today, we do so in a world which is complex, which in many respects is volatile, and which in many respects is threatening,” Mr. Marles said.

“We see the global, rules-based order under threat in Eastern Europe, and we see it under pressure in the Indo-Pacific. The way forward in respect of all that is not obvious. But one thing is really clear—now is the time to be working closely with friends.

“Australia has no better friend than the United States of America,” he continued. “The alliance between our two countries is at the heart of Australia’s national security and our worldview, and we look really forward to progressing that relationship.”

‘Bullying Behavior’

Mr. Austin cited instances of “troubling coercion” from China in the East China Sea, South China Sea, and the Southwest Pacific. He affirmed their support for allies and partners as they “defend themselves from bullying behavior.”

Japan and Australia are considered potential partners for the United States in military operations concerning Taiwan, given their advanced defense capabilities and increasing cooperation through joint exercises. They have also agreed to conduct joint training and missions where Japan provides protection for U.S. and Australian military assets.

Although there is no mutual defense treaty between Canberra and Tokyo, they signed a bilateral reciprocal force agreement in 2022 to enhance combined training, elevating their relationship to a “special strategic partnership.” This move is likely to encourage further trilateral cooperation.

The U.S.-Australian defense relationship, which dates back to World War I, has grown stronger over time, with Australia actively participating in global conflicts alongside the United States.

Mr. Marles highlighted progress in their alliance, particularly in force posture initiatives and increased engagements during previous consultations in Washington.

“Since then, there have been the additions to what we see with the Marine rotation in Darwin, and the fantastic presence of the United States in Exercise Talisman Sabre,” he said. “That speaks to the fact that our relationship is going from strength to strength, but it also speaks to the fact that what we agree that we will do, we end up doing,” he added.

Mr. Marles stressed the importance of working closely with friends in the face of global complexities and threats to the rules-based order.