The UK said consultations on future cooperation between the three AUKUS partners and other countries including Japan would begin this year.
A summit between US President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in Washington on Wednesday is expected to address the possibility of Japan participating in future AUKUS “enhanced capability” projects.
The AUKUS Treaty, signed by the UK, US and Australia in 2021, aims to address challenges in the Asia-Pacific region.
US President Joe Biden, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and British Chancellor Rishi Sunak speak about the Australia-UK-US (AUKUS) partnership at Point Loma Naval Base in San Diego, California, US on March 13, 2023. Photo: Reuters
The first phase or “pillar” is designed to provide nuclear-powered attack submarines to Australia. The statement does not suggest Japan will join this part of the treaty.
The second pillar, however, focuses on providing advanced capabilities and shared technologies across multiple domains including quantum computing, undersea, hypersonics, artificial intelligence and cyber technologies.
In a joint statement released by the UK Government, the three countries said: “Recognizing the strength of Japan and the close bilateral defence partnership with all three countries, we are considering working with Japan on projects to enhance AUKUS Pillar II capability.”
China has called the AUKUS treaty dangerous and warned it could fuel an arms race in the region. Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said earlier on Monday that no decision had been made on cooperation with AUKUS.
Bill Greenwalt, a former senior Pentagon official for industrial policy, said it was too early to discuss Japanese involvement.
Mai Van (according to Reuters)
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