Japan, Australia sign comprehensive security pact

Japan, Australia sign comprehensive security pact

Japan and Australia on Tuesday signed a security pact that will make Japan Australia's closest ally after the United States.

The pact, which significantly strengthens defense ties between the two nations, was signed by visiting Australian Prime Minister John Howard and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe following a summit on Tuesday.

Under the pact, Japanese forces will train alongside Australians for disaster relief and peacekeeping missions. The pact also calls for cooperation between the two countries in counter-terrorist measures and intelligence sharing, reports AP.