UK seals new defence deal with Japan after Russia’s aggression
We want to work more closely with you, says Johnson
THE UK and Japan have agreed a defence deal that will allow their national forces to work more closely together after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine altered global politics, according to Boris Johnson.
The Prime Minister, speaking in Downing Street alongside his Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida, said he was glad the two nations had agreed a reciprocal access agreement for armed services.
He said allies in Europe and east Asia had to be unified in the face of “autocratic, coercive powers”.
Mr Kishida’s first official visit at the invitation of the Government was marked with a guard of honour and an RAF flypast over Horse Guards Parade in central London.
Before holding talks at No 10 yesterday, the two leaders stood on a dais as they witnessed a Voyager and two Typhoon fighter jets soar over St James’ Park and the parade ground.
Mr Kishida was then invited in Japanese by the captain of the Nijmegen Company, Grenadier Guards, to inspect the troops.
After the spectacle, Mr Johnson and Mr Kishida headed to Downing Street where the British leader announced that a military accord has been struck.
The Prime Minister said the world had observed the strong stance the Japanese government had taken against Russian aggression in Ukraine.
He added: “We in the UK recognise that our security in Europe is indivisible from the security, our
collective security, in the Asia-Pacific, in the Indo-Pacific region.
“And there is direct read-across from the actions of autocratic, coercive powers in Europe to what may happen in east Asia.
“And that’s why we want to work more closely together.
“Today I’m so glad that we’ve agreed the reciprocal access agreement between our armed services.”
No 10 said the landmark agreement would allow the two countries’ forces to deploy together for training, joint exercises and disaster relief.
Downing Street said the agreement
would boost the UK’s commitment to the Indo-Pacific, further safeguard global peace and security and build on the already close collaboration on defence and security technology between both nations.
Talks began on deepening the
UK-Japan defence relationship in September, following the Government’s defence and foreign policy integrated review, which last year announced a “tilt” towards the Indo-Pacific.
The Government describes Japan as its closest security partner in Asia.
Officials said Tokyo had just two other bilateral visiting forces agreements – one with the United States and the recently agreed accord signed with Australia in January.
Meanwhile, Conservative former minister Greg Clark, MP for Tunbridge Wells, is set to be
announced as the UK’s new trade envoy to Japan.
Mr Johnson said he would discuss with Mr Kishida the UK-Japan trade partnership, adding that trade relations were “already glorious and increasing” with “co-operation on science, on digital technology and many other things”.
The Japanese prime minister, speaking with a translator, thanked Mr Johnson for the “warm welcome”, noting that he had made time, despite the local elections taking place in the UK.
He told the Prime Minister he looked forward to a “very fruitful
discussion” on the London-Tokyo bilateral relationship, as well as on Ukraine and global affairs.
The meeting followed Mr Johnson casting his vote in the local elections yesterday morning.
Mr Johnson appeared at Methodist Central Hall in Westminster to cast his vote in the elections, accompanied by his dog, Dilyn.
The Prime Minister was smiling and wished reporters a good morning but was otherwise tight lipped about an election in which the Conservatives are predicted to lose hundreds of council seats.
I’m so glad we’ve agreed the reciprocal access agreement. Premier Boris Johnson, speaking yesterday.