LyrArc Article Gist
Prime minister Morrison becomes the first leader to meet prime minister Yoshihide Suga of Japan after Mr. Shinzo Abe resigned for health reasons. Mr. Suga was Chief Cabinet Secretary under Abe for 8 years. The 2 countries have agreed to strengthen defense relations by removing legal and administrative barriers for their militaries entering each others country. This improves joint military training and quick support in a crisis. Earlier in November Japan and Australia joined India and U.S. in joint naval exercizes after the 4 foreign ministers met in Tokyo.

Small islands in the East China Sea controlled by Japan have seen more frequent patrols by Chinese Coast Guard. China claims these islands. Genron NPO shows almost 90% of Japanese people now have a negative view of China. Australia has acted on concerns of domestic interference by China. India has faced expansion along its Himalayan border with China by units of the Chinese armed forces. India has also developed closer ties with Australia to build its maritime presence in the Indian Ocean region.