Japanese troops fire artillery in support of Australian troops for first time as threats draw militaries closer together

In an historic first, Japanese soldiers have conducted live-fire drills in support of Australian troops, marking ever-closer defence ties between the two countries. Key points: Japanese soldiers fired live artillery in support of Australian troops for the first time as part of a mock battle Both countries say the deteriorating security climate means they have to strengthen military cooperation A recently signed defence pact emphasises more joint training and stationing troops in each other's countries Japan wants to make even more use of Australian military knowledge and bases as it tightens its relationship with partners it sees as critical to security in a volatile region. "I think there's a common resolve," said Lieutenant Colonel Richard Niessl, the commanding officer of 6 Battalion and whose infantry soldiers were shielded by the Japanese shelling. Japan joins major Australia-US military training drill Photo shows Japanese Ground Self-Defence Force personnel Japanese troops took part in a major US-Australian military exercise for the first time in 2015 as Washington looked to bolster links among its allies in the face of an increasingly assertive China.