Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese agreed to boost practical defense cooperation between the two nations amid growing assertiveness by China in the Asia-Pacific region.<br />''<br />''Japanese Prime Minister, who is on a three-day visit to Australia, signed a joint declaration with Mr. Albanese. In the declaration, Japan and Australia have agreed to take action against countries violating international rules and norms<br />''<br />''In the latest declaration, the two leaders confirmed the significance of a free and open Indo-Pacific, a vision advocated by former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.<br />''<br />''In 2007, Abe and then Australian Prime Minister John Howard had signed a document that recognized "common strategic interests and security benefits embodied in their respective alliance relationships with the United States.<br />''<br />''Japan imports natural gas, iron ore and other vital resources from Australia, making it a key partner.<br />