While ruling out Tokyo’s participation in the centrepiece project for Aukus – delivering nuclear-powered submarines to Australia – Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles said Canberra wants to “work more closely with Japan” on technological developments, acknowledging that the Asian nation is a “place of innovation” and is “at the cutting edge of technology”.
“I think it is natural that we would be talking about a greater level of cooperation between the three countries – US, UK and Australia – and Japan, in terms of joint collaborations going forward,” he said in an interview in the Australian capital.
Despite being keen to see Japan’s collaboration, Marles indicated that it would not happen any time soon as Aukus is still “very much focused on working on new innovative technologies among the three countries”.
“As pillar two becomes more mature, which is going to take some years … I think there is an opportunity at that point to look at how we can cooperate with Japan in relation to that,” he said.
Why New Zealand joining Aukus may be a retreat towards the Anglosphere
Why New Zealand joining Aukus may be a retreat towards the Anglosphere
Asked whether Tokyo should also consider acquiring nuclear-powered submarines, the Australian minister said it was “a matter for Japan” and he “would not seek to venture an opinion”.
Australia made a decision “in the context of our strategic needs”, Marles said, noting that “we desperately need a highly capable long-range submarine” as an island nation located far away from other countries.
Speaking on the bilateral defence relationship between Canberra and Tokyo, Marles noted that “Australia and Japan have never been more strategically aligned than we are now”.
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China warns Aukus against going down ‘dangerous road’ over nuclear-powered submarine pact
China warns Aukus against going down ‘dangerous road’ over nuclear-powered submarine pact
The minister also welcomed the prospect of Japan using Australia’s vast continent as a testing ground for long-range missiles, as Tokyo seeks to acquire capabilities to strike targets in enemy territory.
“Our training areas are among the best in the world, and we’re very keen to work with Japan in relation to them, and see Japan have the opportunity to use them,” he said of Australia’s long-range test sites.
Japan’s record arms spending will require ‘controversial’ taxes, welfare cuts
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Marles reiterated the “strong ambition” on both sides to further the relationship, and said Australia is “keen to increase the tempo” of cooperation.