Japan and Australia affirmed Wednesday the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait while agreeing to deepen bilateral security cooperation amid China's rising assertiveness in regional waters.

The move followed similar calls for peaceful resolution of cross-strait issues during Japan's recent summit talks with the United States and the European Union.

Tokyo and Canberra also confirmed at the virtual security talks that the Self-Defense Forces will protect Australian military assets in noncombat situations, Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi said.