Defense chiefs from the United States, United Kingdom and Australia said they were considering cooperation with Japan on advanced technology projects under the AUKUS defense alliance formed by the three countries. This news was released today, Tuesday (9/4).
On Monday (8/4), US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, British Defense Secretary Grant Shabbs and Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles issued a joint statement.
AUKUS recognizes “Japan's strengths and its close bilateral defense partnership with the three countries,” the document says. According to the report, they are considering working with the Japanese side on advanced capability projects under the defense alliance's “Pillar II” programs.
AUKUS consists of two pillars, with Australia's nuclear-powered submarines operating as the first pillar.
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The second pillar requires cooperation on advanced technologies including artificial intelligence and hypersonic missiles.
US President Joe Biden's administration has expressed interest in inviting allies and like-minded countries to join the second pillar.
A senior US government official said the matter should be discussed when Biden meets with Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio at a bilateral summit in Washington on Wednesday (10/4).
*With information from Valor Econômico and NHK
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