The escort took place during a joint exercise conducted Wednesday through Friday south of Shikoku, one of Japan’s four main islands. The Japanese destroyer Inazuma protected the frigate Warramunga in response to a request from the Australian side.

Tokyo looks to deepen security cooperation with Canberra as China enhances its military. Last year, Japan’s Self-Defense Forces (SDF) were involved in a record 25 missions protecting US military vessels and aircraft.

Such “asset protection” missions are made possible by security legislation enacted in 2015 allowing the SDF to protect weapons and military equipment belonging to other countries during non-combat situations, such as military exercises.

Japan and Australia agreed to proceed with talks on asset protection missions during a defence meeting in October 2020.

During this June’s “two-plus-two” meeting held by the diplomatic and defence chiefs of both nations, it was decided that Japan’s asset protection capability will apply to Australia.