This comes as Japan is set to ease rules on defence equipment exports, which have strict limits on exporting weapons with lethal capability.

This comes as Japan is set to ease rules on defence equipment exports, which have strict limits on exporting weapons with lethal capability.

Defence deal is the latest example of deepening ties between Canberra and Tokyo amid shared concerns over China's rise.

This will be Japan's first ever warship export project, and the first ship is scheduled to be delivered to the Royal Australian Navy in 2029.