The two countries will sign a pact on expanding security cooperation, including on working together in disaster prevention and fighting terrorism and nuclear proliferation, a Japanese defence official said.

Australia's foreign affairs and defence ministers were in Japan for the second so-called 'two-plus-two' meeting since the nations signed a security pact in March 2007.

'This Australia-Japan two-plus-two meeting builds on our shared perspectives of regional and global security,' Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith said ahead of the talks.

'The two-plus-two highlights the reality that Australia and Japan are firm friends, close partners and key players in addressing regional and global security challenges,' he said.

The pact was the first for officially pacifist Japan outside of its military alliance with the United States. For Australia, it was also the first security framework other than its alliances with Britain and the United States.

But relations have been shakier since Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd took over in November last year.

The centre-left leader has taken a tough line against Japan's Antarctic whaling, which is widely opposed in Australia, and sought to build ties with Japan's sometime rival China.

Mr Smith said Australia maintains 'an enduring partnership' with Japan.

'We have a comprehensive economic, security and strategic partnership with Japan,' he said. 'We have a growing economic relationship with China. It is entirely possible for a nation-state to have a good relationship with more than one country and not impact adversely on another country.'

A Japanese foreign ministry official said on Thursday's accord would show a return to closer cooperation.

'Japan and Australia have talked about a new way of security cooperation since the Rudd government started,' the official said on condition of anonymity, calling the deal 'a milestone in how to take the next step forward.'

Defence Minister Yasukazu Hamada and his Australian counterpart Joel Fitzgibbon plan to sign the accord on security cooperation.

Japanese Foreign Minister Hirofumi Nakasone and Smith were expected to discuss a variety of issues, likely including whaling, the foreign ministry official said.

In Sydney, Environment Minister Peter Garrett said Thursday that Australia was considering legal action against Japan over its annual whale hunt in Antarctic waters.

Australia was 'continuing to push very, very hard in the diplomatic environment' for an end to Japan's annual hunt, Garrett said.

An international moratorium on commercial whaling was imposed in 1986, but Japan kills hundreds of whales a year in the name of research, with the meat nonetheless ending up on dinner tables.

Japan says whaling is part of its culture but Australia says it is cruel and hurts its vibrant whale-watching industry. -- AFP