Japan would be a ¡°capable participant¡± in the evolving U.S.-U.K.-Australia defense partnership because of its investments in advanced defense systems, industrial-base improvements and cybersecurity protocols, according to an unreleased U.S. State Department assessment to Congress.

Japan ¡°expressed interest in a range¡± of projects underway as part of the second leg of the so-called AUKUS agreement that¡¯s focused on technology-sharing, including ¡°long-range anti-submarine warfare and autonomous air platforms,¡± according to the four-page document, a copy of which was made available to Bloomberg News.

The report, dated May 30, is labeled Sensitive But Unclassified. It is generally upbeat about Japan¡¯s readiness to join the second leg, known as Pillar II, if invited. A spokesperson for Japan¡¯s Defense Ministry told the military publication Janes in July that the nation¡¯s military is interested in deepening participation in this stage, which involves assisting Australian efforts to build a nuclear-powered submarine force.

A State Department spokesperson said the report was submitted in accordance to congressional requirements and wouldn¡¯t be made public.

AUKUS, signed in 2021 by former U.S. President Joe Biden, at its core is aimed at checking China¡¯s military advance in the Indo-Pacific region. A review of the AUKUS agreement by the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump is focused mainly on reinforcing the pact rather than unraveling it, according to the people familiar with the matter.

The State Department report praised Japan¡¯s cyber security initiatives ¡°as it tackles significant challenges in the areas of information sharing, workforce development and the use of critical and emerging technologies such as AI and Cloud,¡± it said.

Japan is also ¡°actively bolstering its information security posture, prioritizing the protection and integrity of classified information, advanced systems and technological advantages,¡± it said.

The State Department report said that technical consultations are ongoing to determine specific projects and requirements that would be needed to allow Japan¡¯s participation in Pillar II.

U.S. officials ¡°will continue to advance cooperation with the Japanese governments in its channels, including through senior officials¡¯ meeting, policy dialogue and diplomatic engagements,¡± according to the report.

Japan and Australia set the stage for closer military ties through a 2023 Reciprocal Access Agreement ¡ª which allows troop deployments to each other¡¯s territory ¡ª marking Japan¡¯s first defense pact since its 1960 U.S. alliance. Tokyo has since signed similar agreements with the U.K. and the Philippines.