Japanese PM’s visit will accelerate defence relationship: Johnson

London: UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson hosted his Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida to deepen the UK’s relationship with the Asian security partner and rapidly accelerate collaboration across defence, trade and green energy.

The leaders would agree in principle to a Reciprocal Access Agreement, allowing Japanese and British forces to work, exercise and operate together, boosting the UK’s commitment to the Indo-Pacific and further safeguarding global peace and security, said UK Prime Minister’s Office in a statement.

The UK would be the first European country to have such an agreement with Japan.

The landmark defence partnership, which will see UK and Japanese Armed Forces deploy together to carry out training, joint exercises and disaster relief activities.