UK sets sights on ‘deeper defence relationship’ with Japan

UK sets sights on 'deeper defence relationship' with Japan

Image: Royal Navy

After the controversial AUKUS alliance, the UK sets sights on a “deeper defence relationship” with Japan.

With a nuclear submarine agreement with the US and Australia in the bag, the UK is working on a “deeper defence relationship” with Japan.

Describing Japan as a “vital and like-minded partner for the UK in the Indo Pacific region” negotiations have now opened on a Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) to deepen the defence relationship between the two countries.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said: “Japan is Britain’s close security partner in Asia, with shared values and common strategic interests. This sends a clear signal about our determination to deepen bilateral defence cooperation, and the UK’s commitment to the Indo Pacific region.”

Foreign Secretary Liz Truss added: “Deepening defence ties with Japan is an important part of our commitment to ensuring an open and secure Indo-Pacific and a clear demonstration of Global Britain in action.

“Our two island democracies believe in the same fundamental freedoms and a strong economic and security partnership with Japan is crucial to Britain’s long-term interests.

“The commencement of talks comes soon after the UK’s Carrier Strike Group visited Japan, in a sign of our firm commitment to supporting shared security challenges in the region,” she said on September 29.


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Deirdre Tynan

Deirdre Tynan is an award-winning journalist who enjoys bringing the best in news reporting to Spain’s largest English-language newspaper, Euro Weekly News. She has previously worked at The Mirror, Ireland on Sunday and for news agencies, media outlets and international organisations in America, Europe and Asia. A huge fan of British politics and newspapers, Deirdre is equally fascinated by the political scene in Madrid and Sevilla. She moved to Spain in 2018 and is based in Jaen.

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