'Considering cooperating' with Japan on AUKUS security pact, say US, UK, Australia

Australia, United States and Britain said they are considering working with Japan to bolster the trilateral’s AUKUS security pact, which is aimed at countering China in the Indo-Pacific region.

Calls to involve Japan in AUKUS come at a time when Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is on a six-day-long visit to Washington for a key bilateral summit with President Joe Biden.

AUKUS said they are “considering cooperating” with Japan due to its “strengths” and its “close” bilateral defense partnerships with the trio, an official statement said on Tuesday. However, Japan will not share a seat with the founding members.

The Australian PM Anthony Albanese told reporters in Canberra, that Tokyo is a “natural” partner" for AUKUS but its contribution would be limited to developing advanced technologies.

Why is Japan being limited in the AUKUS pact?

AUKUS which was formed in 2021, has called Japan to be involved in the “Pillar” 2, or second stage of the security pact, which focuses on developing advanced warfighting capabilities such as artificial intelligence, undersea drones and hypersonic missiles.

The AUKUS said it wants “like-minded partners” to join the non-nuclear Pillar 2 of projects that will “[deliver] advanced military capabilities to our respective defence forces in support of regional stability and security”.

The first stage or ‘Pillar’ 1, is designed to deliver a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines to Australia. The statement did not propose Japan would be involved in this part of the pact.

The officials and experts say obstacles to Japan joining as a formal member remain given the need for the country to introduce better cyber defenses and stricter rules for guarding secrets.

Earlier, New Zealand stepped up its interest in joining Pillar II of Aukus, citing China’s growing presence in the Pacific and broader concerns over a “reshaped world”.