As US military presence ramps up in the north, experts say one of Australia's closest Asian neighbours is growing wary that the US's expanded presence could bring rising tensions to the region.

“A lot of countries in our region, whether it’s the Pacific or South-East Asia, they are predominantly concerned about development, about economics, about nation-building — not necessarily about what a rising China means for their defence or military interests,”

Japanese troops could join US marines for regular rotations through the Top End as Tokyo, Washington and Canberra continue to deepen defence and strategic ties in the face of China's swelling military might.

Next year, Australia will participate for the first time in Orient Shield, the largest annual field training exercise between the U.S. Army and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force.

Australia and Japan also plan to involve the Japanese Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade, a marine unit of the Japan Self-Defense Forces, in annual training rotations of U.S. Marines in the northern Australian city of Darwin.

The ministers agreed on more engagement in training exercises involving the two air forces after F-35A Lighting II stealth fighters from both countries joined in combat training over Japan last year in Exercise Bushido Guardian

Deployments of Japanese F-35 fighter jets to northern Australia will be ramped up as part of a deepening of security ties between the two countries, while Anthony Albanese prepares to join Quad leaders for a summit in the US later this month.

Late last month, Tokyo lodged a diplomatic protest after a Chinese spy plane allegedly breached its airspace for the first time near the Danjo Islands in the East China Sea.

Shared concern by Australia and Japan over Chinese aggression prompted the signing of a landmark defence pact that came into force last year, making it easier for each country’s military to operate in the other nation.

At Thursday’s 2+2 talks, ministers are expected to expand the rotation of Japanese F-35 fighter jets for temporary basing in Australia, including joint exercises alongside US Marines in Darwin. Two Japanese jets were dispatched to Australia a year ago to test the viability of deployments.

In a strongly symbolic message, the talks will be held at Queenscliff, east of Geelong – home of the secretive Swan Island defence and spy training facility.

“The shift which we need to see is from viewing AUKUS as defence policy, to viewing it as nation-building policy – or even economic future-proofing policy,” Bran Black, Business Council of Australia CEO, was quoted as saying at the end of an article about this continent becoming a “central base” of US military operations in the Indo Pacific.

The main thrust of the piece in the Weekend Australian was an exclusive conversation that the Murdoch press had with US Republican congressman Michael McCaul, who waxed lyrical about the opportunities that the tearing down of military trade barriers that the Albanese government has recently partaken in brings in terms of a deterrence upon China and the lead up to World War III.

Indeed, during his 10-day visit to this country, McCaul, the chair of the US House Committee on Foreign Affairs announced that the Biden administration had granted defence trade exemptions from the US for us, which means it has relaxed its International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR) red tape.

“I am pleased the administration has finally provided the long overdue defence trade exemption to two of our closest allies, Australia” and the UK, a 15 August statement outlines. But the US politician then laments that the reforms have not completely abolished “big government regulation”, which will continue to “hamper” deterrence capabilities in the Indo Pacific.

“Darwin is the… epicentre of the organisation projecting power through the South China Sea to China,” McCaul told Sky News, following a visit to the Northern Territory capital last week. “And getting these alliances there sends a very strong message to Chairman Xi, that the risk outweighs the reward.”

Deep in the outback, a flurry of construction by Australia and the United States is transforming this once quiet military installation into a potential launchpad in case of conflict with China.

Runways are being expanded and strengthened to accommodate the allies’ biggest airplanes, including American B-52 bombers. A pair of massive fuel depots is rising side by side to supply U.S. and Australian fighter jets. And two earth-covered bunkers have been built for U.S. munitions.

But the activity at RAAF Tindal, less than 2,000 miles from the emerging flash points of the South China Sea, isn’t unique. Across Australia, decades-old facilities — many built by the United States during World War II — are now being dusted off or upgraded amid growing fears of another global conflict.

Marles declined to comment on the increasing rotations ... but said the trajectory is “an increasing American force posture in Australia.”