Australia's defense minister visits a frigate in Japan as the countries boost defense ties

YOKOSUKA, Japan (AP) — Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles on Friday toured a Japanese navy frigate of the same Japan-made model that Australia has chosen for its new fleet, as the two countries step up military ties to deter China's growing influence.

Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani hosted Marles for the visit aboard the JS Mikuma, a month after Australia chose Mogami-class frigates produced by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to replace Australia's aging fleet of ANZAC-class warships.

The deal gave a major boost of confidence to Japan’s still-underdeveloped defense industry after it lost out on Australia’s submarine contract to a French company in 2016.

Joining Nakatani on the deck of the frigate, Marles said Australia had chosen the Mogami-class ships because of their capabilities, and the two ministers agreed to conclude the procurement contract as quickly as possible.

“The selection of the Mogami-class frigates as the general-purpose frigate for the Royal Australian Navy is genuinely a milestone moment in the bilateral relationship between Australia and Japan," Marles said.

Japan has been accelerating its military buildup while expanding its defense ties beyond its only treaty ally, the United States. It now considers Australia to be a semi-ally.

Nakatani said the frigate deal strengthens supply chain cooperation between the two countries and contributes to the peace and stability of the Indo-Pacific region.

Earlier Friday, the defense ministers joined Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya and Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong for security talks in which they pledged to expand joint military exercises and cooperation in energy and critical minerals.

They reiterated the importance of cooperating with the United States and raised concern over China’s assertive activities.

In separate talks between the two top diplomats, Iwaya and Wong signed an agreement aimed at strengthening their coordination in the evacuation of their nationals from overseas in case of emergencies.

Japan’s government has teamed up with Mitsubishi and other manufacturers to promote the frigate project. At a recent meeting held at the Defense Ministry, officials pledged their continued support for the contractors as they aim to finalize the contract early next year.

Yamaguchi reported from Tokyo. Associated Press video journalist Ayaka McGill in Tokyo contributed.

Japan's Defence Minister Gen Nakatani, right, and Australia's Defence Minister Richard Marles hold a joint press announcement aboard the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) Mogami-class stealth frigate JS Mikuma at the JMSDF naval base in Yokosuka, Japan, Friday Sept. 5, 2025. (Yuichi Yamazaki/Pool Photo via AP)

Japan's Defence Minister Gen Nakatani, right, and Australia's Defence Minister Richard Marles shake hands ahead of a joint press announcement aboard the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) Mogami-class stealth frigate JS Mikuma at the JMSDF naval base in Yokosuka, Japan, Friday Sept. 5, 2025. (Yuichi Yamazaki/Pool Photo via AP)

Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) Mogami-class stealth frigate JS Mikuma is seen anchored at the JMSDF naval base in Yokosuka, Japan, Friday Sept. 5, 2025. (Yuichi Yamazaki/Pool Photo via AP)

Japan's Defence Minister Gen Nakatani, right, and Australia's Defence Minister Richard Marles shake hands following a joint press announcement aboard the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) Mogami-class stealth frigate JS Mikuma at the JMSDF naval base in Yokosuka, Japan, Friday Sept. 5, 2025. (Yuichi Yamazaki/Pool Photo via AP)

Australia's Defence Minister Richard Marles, centre left, and Japan's Defence Minister Gen Nakatani, centre right, take part in a ceremony ahead of a joint press announcement aboard the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) Mogami-class stealth frigate JS Mikuma at the JMSDF naval base in Yokosuka, Japan, Friday Sept. 5, 2025. (Yuichi Yamazaki/Pool Photo via AP)

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Shaedon Sharpe scored 24 points and the Portland Trail Blazers overcame high-scoring Deni Avdija's absence to beat the Atlanta Hawks 117-101 on Thursday night.

Avdija missed second straight game because of lower-back soreness He’s averaging 26.1 points, 7.1 rebounds and 6.9 assists.

Portland took an 88-87 lead into the fourth quarter and pulled away. The Trail Blazers had lost two straight after winning five a row.

Jerami Grant added 16 points and Rayan Rupert had 13. Jrue Holiday scored 12 points in his third game back after missing 27 because of a right calf injury.

Onyeka Okongwu led Atlanta with 26 points. The Hawks were 1-3 on a four-game trip. They have lost nine in a row in Portland since Feb. 13, 2017.

CJ McCollum added 20 points in his third game with the Hawks since coming over from Washington in the trade that sent Trae Young to the Wizards. McCollum played his first 8 1/2 seasons with Portland.

Atlanta's Kristaps Porzingis missed his fourth straight game because of an Achilles problem.

Hawks: Host Boston on Saturday night.

Trail Blazers: Host the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday night.

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Atlanta Hawks Head Coach Quin Snyder looks to the referees during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Molly J. Smith)

Portland Trail Blazers center Donovan Clingan (23) reaches out to block a basket from Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson (1) during the first half of an NBA basketball game on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Molly J. Smith)

Atlanta Hawks guard CJ McCollum (3) dribbles past Portland Trail Blazers guard Caleb Love (2) during the first half of an NBA basketball game on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Molly J. Smith)

Atlanta Hawks forward Onyeka Okongwu (17) shoots a basket over Portland Trail Blazers center Donovan Clingan (23) during the first half of an NBA basketball game on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Molly J. Smith)

Portland Trail Blazers center Donovan Clingan (23) blocks a basket from Atlanta Hawks forward/center Onyeka Okongwu (17) during the first half of an NBA basketball game on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Molly J. Smith)