Japan joining Aukus: the ‘logical choice’, but would it be a full partner in the alliance?

Even Chinese state media concedes that a ‘Jaukus’ alliance is likely to happen sooner or later, as Japan draws closer to Australia, the US and UK

Yet there are still unresolved issues surrounding the transfer of sensitive technologies – not to mention that troublesome nuclear submarine deal

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Ships and aircraft from Japan, Australia, Britain and the US fly and sail in formation during joint exercises held in October last year. Photo: US Navy Handout

Published: 8:30am, 27 Nov 2022

Japan is not yet officially a member of the trilateral Aukus security pact, but for many observers its eventual entry into the grouping is all but inevitable.

When first unveiled in September last year, Aukus was advertised as a way for Britain and the United States to help Australia acquire nuclear-powered submarines.

Yet Japan’s possible entry to the grouping “should not be limited” to discussions on this topic, according to Jonathan Berkshire Miller, a senior fellow at the Japan Institute of International Affairs in Tokyo.

“Japan is a logical choice to plug in” to Aukus, he said, as it can cooperate and add value in areas such as artificial intelligence, quantum technologies and hypersonic flight.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, US President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at a meeting in May of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, which also includes India. Photo: AFP

After all, the future of the strategic pact is about more than just nuclear submarines, Miller said. It also aims to increase hi-tech military cooperation and information sharing between its members, and is widely seen as a counter to China’s growing power and influence.