Japan, Australia and US to make defense cooperation plan

Defense officials from Japan, the United States and Australia say the 3 countries plan to draw up a new action plan to improve defense cooperation.  Japanese Senior Vice Defense Minister Shu Watanabe, US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta and Australian Defense Minister Stephen Smith met in Singapore on Saturday, Japan\'s (NHK World) website reported Sunday.  Watanabe and Smith welcomed the new US defense strategy, which places emphasis on the Asia-Pacific region.  A joint statement released by the 3 officials also proposed military exercises involving Japan\'s SDF, US and Australian forces.  In a bilateral meeting, Japanese and Australian officials agreed that their countries will jointly develop new defense equipment.