Japan is planning to join U.S. and Australian military exercises next year, citing China’s "destabilizing and concerning" actions in the South and East China Seas.

Australia, Japan and the U.S. on Sunday committed to closer military cooperation in training their forces as the countries deepened their ties in a bid to counter China's military strength.

SYDNEY (Reuters) -Japanese troops will begin regular deployments in northern Australia as part of military cooperation with Australia and the U.S., Australia's Defence Minister Richard Marles said on Sunday.