The Foreign and Defense Ministers of Japan and Australia have agreed to boost their cooperation with the United States due to their region's worsening security environment. <br/><br/>Japan's Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida and Defense Minister Tomomi Inada met their Australian counterparts Julie Bishop and Marise Payne today in Tokyo in ministerial talks known as 2+2. They agreed that Japan, Australia and the US must work together closely in the wake of North Korea's ballistic missiles tests and other regional issues. They also stressed the importance of their cooperation with India.<br/><br/>At a joint news conference, Kishida said a free and open maritime order is the foundation for bringing stability and prosperity to both countries and the rest of the world. He said the two countries must lead efforts to make the vast Indo-Pacific region free and open so that it can be used by the international community. Bishop criticized North Korea for what she called illegal and belligerent behavior. She said Japan and Australia want to ensure stability and security on the Korean Peninsula by peaceful means. Bishop also said China has a unique relationship with North Korea and is a source of virtually all of the North's foreign direct investment.