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Defence Minister Richard Marles has held talks with his Japanese counterpart in Tokyo as part of the annual Defence Ministers’ meeting.

The pair were greeted with a guard of honour before sitting down to discuss security challenges in the Asia-Pacific region, as well as the importance of their relationship.

Japan’s Defence Minister Minoru Kihara told Mr Marles the next goal is to improve cooperation to ensure the two countries will be ready to work together in emergencies arising in the region.

During the talks, Japan issued an invitation for Australia to join two military exercises conducted in tandem with the United States.

The first exercise is set down for November.