AUKUS to cooperate with Japan on advanced technology projects

The defense chiefs of the United States, Britain and Australia released a joint statement on Monday saying that they are considering cooperating with Japan on advanced technology projects under the three countries’ AUKUS security framework so-called “Pillar II” projects.

The statement says AUKUS recognizes Japan’s strengths and its close bilateral defense partnerships with all three countries. AUKUS consists of two pillars, with the deployment of nuclear-powered submarines in Australia serving as the first one and the second pillar calls for cooperation in advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence and hypersonic missiles.

A senior US government official has said that the issue is expected to be discussed when US President Joe Biden meets Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio at a Bilateral Summit in Washington on Wednesday.