The leaders of Japan and Australia said Tuesday they will bolster bilateral defense cooperation, agreeing in principle on a "landmark" pact to facilitate joint exercises as the key U.S. allies in Asia seek to counter China's growing influence.Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga and his Australian counterpart Scott Morrison voiced "serious concerns" about the situation in the South China Sea, disputed waters where Beijing is militarizing artificial islands despite protests from neighboring countries, and the East China Sea, according to a joint statement released after their meeting in Tokyo.China…READ FULL ARTICLE
