Australia is strengthening ties with Japan in response to China’s increasing military aggression in the region. Japanese Ambassador to Australia, Shingo Yamagami, said the security co-operation is a new and fast-growing pillar in supporting bilateral relations between the two nations. “Australia and Japan are natural partners since we share basic values such as democracy, a market economy, respect for human rights and the rule of law, as well as strategic interests in maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific region,” Yamagami wrote in The Australian. Yamagami expressed his concern for the situation surrounding Taiwan, saying “any reckless or coercive action there could affect the peace and stability of the entire Indo-Pacific region.” “This increases the importance of Australia and Japan working together,” Yamagami said. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and his Japanese counterpart Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga reinforced relations in a phone call on Feb. 25, where they pledged continued co-operation. …