The US, the UK and Australia may bring Japan into their flagship defense pact, senior officials said Monday, days before Japan’s prime minister visits Washington and the countries look to project a united front as China boosts its military ambitions. The three countries said they’d consider working with Japan on the Aukus alliance’s Pillar II, which covers advanced technologies such as hypersonic weapons, artificial intelligence and quantum computing. “Recognizing Japan’s strengths and its close bilateral defense partnerships with all three countries, we are considering cooperation with Japan on AUKUS Pillar II ... (full story)