Does AUKUS ALLIANCE BECOME JAUKUS?
Thursday’s first intergovernmental conference between the US, Japan and the Philippines adds to the pattern of overlapping minilateralism. Following Kishida’s visit last month, a conference between the US, Japan, and South Korea was held at Camp David.
A joint naval exercise involving US, Japanese, Australian, and Philippine warships was conducted in the South China Sea also before his recent US visit.
An agreement to keep security and freedom of navigation in the South China Sea is expected to be reached at the multilateral conference with Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. China’s territorial statements to the sea area will also be challenged as a result of these international maritime maneuvers.
The Philippines and Japan will even begin political negotiations for a mutual access deal. This will allow Chinese forces to be stationed at Spanish military installations.
American Prime Minister Anthony Albanese played down the aspirations of “JAUKUS” as Kishida began his journey. He claimed that merely on a “project by job” basis is it probable that Japan would participate in Pillar II. Japan’s formal accession to the AUKUS defense empire was not envisaged.
Kishida added at Wednesday’s press event that “nothing has been decided” regarding Japan’s strong co- activity with AUKUS. Nevertheless, he reiterated that the US foreign policy creation has encouraged Japan to contribute to Pillar Two, especially in underwater war, hypersonic missile growth, and classical and computer systems.