A Japanese Mogami-class warship has docked in Darwin, as the nation hopes for a multi-billion-dollar naval contract with Australia.
The state of the art frigate made port in the Northern Territory, last week, as part of a tour of the Indo-Pacific region by Japan's defence forces.
The tour also includes joint-force exercises between the two nations, as well as Indonesia and the Philippines, and defence industry exhibitions in Singapore and Malaysia.
The JS Yahagi is part of the Mogami class warship, manufactured by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, which Japan hopes to provide Australia with under a $10 billion contract, but Germany provides competition in the form of Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems.
The contract, known as SEA3000, will see 11 new warships replace the Royal Australian Navy's existing eight Anzac-class, which have been in operation for nearly three decades.
Australia's government is expected to decide where to award the contract later this year.
