Japan Hopes to Join AUKUS

A secretary or ministers of defense of Unites States, United Kingdom and Australia (AUKUS) issued a statement that revealed their consideration of cooperation with Japan in joint development for security capabilities other than nuclear submarine. The negotiation for new framework is expected to start within this year. It will make an opportunity for Japan to join in an international security cooperation, and for AUKUS to extend its framework to other countries.

AUKUS is a trilateral security partnership contributing to building network in Indo-Pacific region established in 2021. US President Joe Biden explained AUKUS as the place where their technology, scientists, industry and defense forces would be working together. Biden defined its major initiative as delivering a nuclear-powered submarine fleet for Australia (Pillar I).

 

Developing advanced technology including artificial intelligence or cyber capability is another pillar (Pillar II) of AUKUS. There has not been a discussion in AUKUS to invite Japan to the Pillar I. On the technological cooperation in other fields, however, Japan considers participation in AUKUS as a security framework to deal with growing presence of China in the Indo-Pacific region.

 

The joint statement of AUKUS ministers of defense seek collaboration opportunities, taking into account factors such as technological innovation, financing, industrial strengths, ability to adequately protect sensitive data and information, and impact on promoting peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. “Recognizing Japan’s strengths and its close bilateral defense partnerships with all three countries, we are considering cooperation with Japan on AUKUS Pillar II advanced capability projects,” says the statement.

 

It is US that welcomes Japan’s participation. According to a report of Financial Times, US Ambassador to Japan, Rahm Emmanuel, said that Japan was “about to become the first additional Pillar II partner.” US Deputy Secretary of State, Kurt Campbell, told Japanese reporter in Tokyo last week that Prime Minister, Fumio Kishida, would exchange views with US President, Joe Biden, on Pillar II of AUKUS in the areas of robotic engineering and cyber technology.

 

However, as Campbell noted Japan’s position on the use of nuclear technology, it is sensitive for Japan to deal with technology related to developing nuclear weapons with its constitutional requirement. It is possible that the opposition parties question Kishida’s willingness to join AUKUS in the discussion of the Diet.

 

“We oppose relevant countries cobbling together exclusive groupings and stoking bloc confrontation,” said a spokesman of Chinese government on AUKUS expansion. Australia is prioritizing development of nuclear submarine to bringing another country into AUKUS. There will be some arguments before Japan will join that trilateral framework.

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