Headlines:
- Multiple space topics covered at 9th “Comprehensive Dialogue”
- US urges Japan to advance work on humanitarian relief hub
- Allied vessels meet in Guam for joint exercise Pacific Vanguard 2024
- US & Japan universities collaborate student effort on AI cooperation
- Japan’s Isuzu partners with US firm to produce self-driving trucks
Details:
- Dozens of US and Japanese officials, business reps, and scientists convened in Washington for the 9th Comprehensive Dialogue on Space Aug 26-27. They released a statement outlining topics covered including civil space cooperation, space science, commercial collaboration, and national security. Government sessions were chaired by the US National Space Council and National Security Council together with Japan’s National Space Policy Secretariat and Foreign Ministry, attended by 18 different ministries, departments, and agencies from the two countries. It also featured a govt-industry “Track 1.5” session involving 40 US and Japanese firms on market access, regulatory interoperability, and other topics, as well as a “Track 2.0” business session with opening remarks from Commerce Dep Sec Graves.
- The US recently urged Japan to name its representatives to a humanitarian relief hub task force and set a date for its inaugural meeting. Amb Emanuel told Reuters, “The effects of climate change are bringing devastation and destruction to communities around the world with ever-greater frequency and ferocity.” Relief supplies and a coordination mechanism provided by the hub could aid the region during crisis. It was agreed to at the Biden-Kishida summit in April. US reps include Amb Emanuel and 1 each from US Marine Corps, Army Corp of Engineers, and USAID.
- Maritime forces from the US, Japan, South Korea, and Canada assembled in Guam for exercise Pacific Vanguard 2024 beginning Aug 24. The allies strengthened their skills in joint maritime, anti-submarine, and air warfare operations. Japanese Rear Adm. Kazushi Yokota expressed confidence in increased allied interoperability stemming from the exercise that will feature high-end warfighting and advanced maneuvering scenarios at sea. Following the start of the exercise on August 26, a Chinese spy plane violated Japanese air space near the Danjo islands for two minutes, China’s foreign ministry spokesperson denied any intentional invasion of the airspace.
- Arizona State University partnered with Hiroshima University to hold the inaugural “Japan-US Global Leadership Program in the Age of Artificial Intelligence” to foster deeper understanding of AI’s implications from August 1-10. The MEXT funded exchange involved lectures, workshops, and company visits. The program focused on technological advancements and impacts on humanity, but it also touched on peace for the 79th anniversary of the atomic bombings. Additionally, MEXT highlighted its effort to strengthen educational partnerships globally with Japanese institutions, enhance development of human resources, and focus financial support on higher quality global exchange.
- Auto maker Isuzu will work with Silicon Valley-based firm Applied Intuition to have self-driving trucks on Japan’s highways by FY 2027. Isuzu intends to address the 34.3% of overwork related deaths from truck driving by adding automated driving solutions as its newest business pillar. President and COO Shinsuke Minami said their goal was to “create and offer solutions to challenges faced by our customers and society as a whole.” The trucks will be produced in Kanagawa and Fukuoka Prefectures and utilize technology from the Nagoya University affiliated startup, Tier IV.
“US-Japan Alliance Digest” is a bi-weekly summary of bilateral and related developments compiled by Sasakawa USA’s “US-Japan NEXT Alliance Initiative.” To receive “Alliance Digest” via email, contact egulum@spfusa.org.
