Japan is poised to officially join AUKUS, marking the first addition to the original Australia-United Kingdom-United States trilateral security partnership. The announcement of AUKUS in September 2021 aimed primarily to facilitate Australia's acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines with conventional armament, a matter not currently of interest to Japan.

Japan's participation in AUKUS' second strand, known as Pillar II, which focuses on cooperation in the development of advanced technology, appears to be confirmed. This development was hinted at by Rahm Emanuel, the American Ambassador in Tokyo, who indicated in an article for the Wall Street Journal that Japan was on the verge of becoming the first additional partner in Pillar II of AUKUS.

However, Japan's engagement with AUKUS's second strand, known as Pillar II, which involves cooperation on the development of advanced technology, appears to be confirmed.

The anticipation of Japan's accession was indicated by America's Ambassador in Tokyo, Rahm Emanuel, who wrote in the Wall Street Journal that Japan was on the verge of becoming the first additional partner in Pillar II of AUKUS.

Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is visiting the US this week, and his meeting with US President Joe Biden on Wednesday may lead to Japan's official inclusion in AUKUS. UK Secretary of State for Defence Grant Shapps stated that consultations with Japan and other countries regarding collaboration on advanced military capabilities under Pillar II would commence this year.

In a recent statement, UK Secretary of State for Defence Grant Shapps outlined that Australia, the UK, and the US are contemplating Japan's potential involvement in various aspects of the Pillar II program, which includes quantum technologies, undersea capabilities, AI, cyber, and more.

Shapps reiterated the partners' intention to engage additional nations in Pillar II as the initiative advances. Defense officials from Australia, the US, and the UK released a joint statement on Tuesday, marking the progress of AUKUS a year after announcing Australia's nuclear submarine acquisition pathway.

The joint statement by defense officials from Australia, the US, and the UK reiterated the consideration of Japan's involvement in AUKUS Pillar II projects, citing Japan's strengths and close bilateral defence partnerships with all three countries.

They underscored the strategic objectives of AUKUS in supporting security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region and emphasized the necessity of Australia's acquisition of conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines in response to evolving strategic challenges. Strengthening trilateral defense capabilities and industrial capacity aims to enhance deterrence against coercion or aggression in the region.

The joint statement highlighted recent milestones in the AUKUS partnership, including Australia's selection of ASC and BAE Systems for submarine construction and ASC as the sustainment partner. It also mentioned upcoming maintenance activities for US submarines in Australia and training initiatives for Royal Australian Navy sailors.

Image source: Japan Times