Japan seeks stake in AUKUS, ready to host nuclear subs

Japan’s ambassador to Australia says the Asian powerhouse is prepared to host Australia’s nuclear subs and wants to participate in Canberra’s AUKUS alliance on ‘specific projects’.

Japan’s ambassador to Australia Yamagami Shingo will deliver a National Press Club address on Monday. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

Japan’s ambassador to Australia, Shingo Yamagami, says the Asian powerhouse is prepared to host Australia’s nuclear submarines and wants to participate in Canberra’s AUKUS alliance with the US and the UK on “specific projects”.

Mr Yamagami will use a National Press Club address on Monday to lay the foundations for Japan’s co-operation with AUKUS, according to a draft of the speech.

He will declare Australia’s acquisition of nuclear submarines is critically important for regional security and will allow for more joint naval exercises between Canberra and Tokyo

“Any arrangement involving the defence ties between Australia, the US and the UK is bound to influence Japan’s defence and security sectors – in other words, what matters to you, matters to us too,” he will tell the UNSW Advancing AUKUS conference, according to a draft of the speech.

“It is true that co-operation within AUKUS on cutting-edge technology has not yet reached the stage where it can involve outside partners.

“However, Japan stands ready to discuss with Australia, the US and the UK areas where we can co-operate bilaterally on defence technology.”

Mr Yamagami will use the speech to say that, given the strength of Tokyo’s bilateral relations with all three countries, there were expectations that Japan would be allowed to co-operate on “specific projects” under the framework of AUKUS.

Referencing the updated security pact signed last month by Anthony Albanese and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, Mr Yamagami will say Australia is Japan’s closest defence ally outside of the United States.

“The most significant development from that new document was the promise to consult one another on any regional contingencies that may arise in the future,” his draft speech says.

“This makes Australia Japan’s most important defence and security partner outside of our pre-existing alliance with the United States.”

Mr Yamagami is expected to tell the conference that Japan anticipated it could “play host” to Australia’s nuclear submarines, due to hit the water in the late 2030s and 2040s.

“Over the past few decades, the Japanese Maritime Self-Defence Force has been building on its relationship with the Royal Australian Navy,” he will say.

“In the future, Japan may also be playing host to Australian nuclear submarines. So measures are already in place to receive them should they come.”

The US is already able to base its nuclear submarines in Japan.

Mr Yamagami will say Australia’s acquisition of the nuclear submarines is critical for regional security.

“At a time when the regional security environment continues to deteriorate, the acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines by Australia and the superior ­deterrence capabilities that they provide is a critically important point,” the ambassador is expected to say.

“While Japan is an outlier to the core purpose of AUKUS, we are no less influenced by its intentions and will certainly be influenced by its results.”