10-4-2024 (WASHINGTON) US national security adviser Jake Sullivan announced on April 9 that more joint patrols in the South China Sea can be anticipated following drills conducted by the United States, Australia, the Philippines, and Japan over the weekend. This announcement comes ahead of US summits scheduled this week with the Japanese and Philippine leaders.
The exercises, which took place on April 7, involved warships from the four nations and were organized in response to heightened Chinese pressure on the Philippines in the disputed strategic waterway.
US President Joe Biden is set to host Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in Washington on April 10, followed by a meeting with Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos on April 11. Discussions during these summits will include strategies to counter China’s assertiveness.
Sullivan, speaking at a regular White House briefing, highlighted the recent trilateral plus Australia joint naval patrols as a new form of quadrilateral cooperation, indicating that such collaborations are expected to continue in the future.
Furthermore, Sullivan revealed plans to explore Japanese involvement in Pillar II of the Aukus security pact during the Biden-Kishida summit. He emphasized the potential for Japan to contribute significantly to the initiative, particularly in terms of capabilities.
During the summit, measures to enhance defence and security cooperation, as well as space exploration, are expected to be announced by Biden and Kishida.
In an interview with Japan’s NHK World Television, Sullivan addressed Japanese Prime Minister Kishida’s plans to establish a new Japanese Self Defence Forces (SDF) headquarters overseeing all military operations by the end of March 2025. Sullivan assured Japan of a commitment to match this upgrade with a corresponding enhancement of US operational command.
While specifics are yet to be finalized, Sullivan outlined the strategic direction, emphasizing the importance of joint efforts against common security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region.
Discussions during the summit will also encompass shared aspirations regarding space exploration, including Japan’s participation in the US Artemis project aimed at returning humans to the moon by 2026.
However, reports of Japan’s potential inclusion in Aukus have been downplayed by Australia, indicating that cooperation will proceed on a project-by-project basis. Concerns remain regarding Japan’s cyber defences and rules for safeguarding secrets, posing obstacles to its involvement in the security pact.
