The AUKUS defense empire, whose foundation people are Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, is apparently considering Japan as a third participant.
One American source claims that the offer is almost done and that it was discussed in public during Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio’s recent trip to Washington.
Japan’s official membership is so imminent that it could have been revealed during Kishida’s visit to the White House on that day, according to Australian Defense Magazine ( ADM) on Wednesday.
The three current members ‘ defense ministers did not say that, but they did say on Tuesday that they were” considering cooperating with Japan” on high-tech AUKUS products. UK Secretary of State for Defense Grant Shapps made it sound like the alliance does have engagement, rather than whole account, in thinking.
” Australia, the UK and U. S. are considering Japan’s potential role in some parts of the Pillar II program”, Shapps said.
When it was founded in 2021, the AUKUS empire was divided into two “pillars.” Foundation I covers” conventional” weapons, mostly meaning boats that do not have nuclear weapons. Upgrading Australia’s underwater abilities was a big first goal of the contract.
Pillar II was titled” Advanced Capability Development” and covers digital and cyber war, hypersonic weapons, unnatural intelligence, and threats against all of the above. Japan would definitely be able to contribute greatly to those activities.
The White House also mentioned” participation” with Japan on Pillar II initiatives on Wednesday, and Kishida praised America’s work with Japan on” the next generation of emerging technologies, such as AI, classical, semiconductors, biology and fresh power” in his address to the U. S. Congress on Thursday.
Fumio Kishida is welcomed at the White House by President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden on April 9, 2024, in Washington. ( AP Photo/Alex Brandon )
None of these comments suggests that Japan will appoint a plane empire member for life. Although adding Japan seems like a wise move from many perspectives and it has outstanding relations with all three of the current members, it might cause some diplomatic issues if the offer is fully extended.
China, which screamed in disbelief the moment AUKUS was announced, would be the obvious culprit.
China frequently describes AUKUS as “dangerous” and absurd, especially since the empire is working to improve Australia’s maritime skills. After mature U.S. minister Kurt Campbell speculated that Australia’s novel nuclear subs might help deter China from attacking Taiwan, the Chinese called AUKUS “dangerous” once more on Tuesday.
According to Chinese representative Zhu Fenglian, the creation of the so-called multilateral security agreement between the United States, Britain, and Australia is primarily intended to stoke military conflict in the region through defense cohesion in tiny circles.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning stated on Monday that Japan’s government is “gravely concerned” by reports that Japan might join AUKUS.
We oppose relevant nations putting together exclusive groupings and stoking bloc conflict. Japan needs to sincerely draw lessons from history and maintain its composure when it comes to military and security issues, Mao said.
Another issue is that, especially in Europe, France and Japan may be reluctant to accept the invitation to join AUKUS before they do.
When Australia canceled a multi-billion dollar submarine contract at the start of AUKUS, France was disgusted and decided to shift its operations to the United States and UK. France actually recalled its ambassadors from Australia and the U. S. in protest, then insulted the British as mere “vassals” and lapdogs of the United States.
Given that it has a significant naval presence in the Pacific thanks to places like New Caledonia and French Polynesia, and because it appears to have settled its differences with the original members of the trilateral alliance, France would make a good candidate for AUKUS membership.
How the French would respond if Japan were to be invited before they did so is beyond me. France has so far refused to join AUKUS in denouncing Chinese territorial aggression.
India, which is undoubtedly a key power in the Indo-Pacific region, shares AUKUS concerns about China.
India already belongs to a group called the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, commonly known as” the Quad”, whose other three members are the U. S., Australia, and Japan. If everyone in the Quad, excluding India, is also invited to AUKUS, it might seem odd.
India and Japan may already be on the same path to accession or collaboration. Rumors surfaced in March 2023 that AUKUS had inquired about working on Pillar II projects and possibly joining the alliance in some capacity. India has since shown how strong its navy is through its numerous convincing displays of its naval prowess during the Red Sea shipping crisis.
