‘We are in the same boat’: Japan urges Australia to join forces to address challenge of China

Ambassador Shingo Yamagami calls for two countries to deepen cooperation in East China Sea, where Tokyo has reported an influx of Chinese vessels

Japan's ambassador has called on Morrison government to consider joint military exercises with Japan in the East China Sea, saying the shipping lane is just as important as the South China Sea to Australia's security and prosperity.

Shingo Yamagami flagged the proposal in Canberra on Wednesday while pushing for Japan and Australia to lift their overall defence ties to unprecedented" levels.