Japan wants access to Australian military ranges to test missiles in further deepening of ties, as Anthony Albanese and Penny Wong dismissed China’s attempt to sow discord between Canberra and Tokyo over last year’s sonar incident that injured an Australian navy diver.

In a significant step up for Australia-Japan military ties, Japanese officials are advancing plans to use “Australia’s vast continent” as part of the development of their own missiles, during talks with Australian counterparts.