Britain and Japan agree on defense deal as Johnson warns of threat from ‘autocratic powers’
Great Britain and Japan have agreed on a defense deal that will allow their national armed forces to “work more closely together”. Boris Johnson.
That prime ministervoice in Downing St along with his Japanese colleague Fumio Kishidasaid he was “so glad” the two nations agreed to a Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) for armed forces.
He said allies in Europe and East Asia must be united in the face of “autocratic coercion.”
We in the UK recognize that our security in Europe is inextricably linked to security, our collective security, in the Asia-Pacific region
Prime Minister Boris Johnson
Mr Kishida’s first official visit at the invitation of the government was celebrated with a guard of honor and a flight of the RAF over Horse Guards Parade in central London.
Before holding talks at No. 10 on Thursday, the two leaders stood on a podium 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 Nijmegen Company’s Captain, Grenadier Guards, to inspect the troops.
After the spectacle, Mr Johnson and Mr Kishida went to Downing Street where the British leader announced a military deal had been struck.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson welcomed his Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida at 10 Downing Street (Stefan Rousseau/PA)
(PA wire)
The prime minister said the world had observed the Japanese government’s “strong stance” against Russian aggression in Ukraine.
He added: “We in the UK recognize that our security in Europe is inextricably linked to security, our collective security, in the Asia-Pacific and Indo-Pacific.
“And there is a direct link from the actions of autocratic coercive powers in Europe to what might happen in East Asia.
“That’s why we want to work more closely together.
“And today I’m so glad we agreed on the Mutual Access Agreement between our armed forces.”
No. 10 said the “Landmark” RAA will allow the two countries’ armed forces to deploy together for training, joint exercises and disaster relief.
Downing Street said the deal will strengthen Britain’s commitment to the Indo-Pacific and further protect global peace and security, building on the already close cooperation between the two nations on defense and security technology.
An Airbus KC2 Voyager and two RAF Eurofighter Typhoon made the flyby over Horse Guards Parade (Stefan Rousseau/PA)
(PA wire)
Talks on deepening defense ties between Britain and Japan began in September, following the government’s integrated defense and foreign policy 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 has only two other bilateral agreements on visiting troops – one with the United States and the recently agreed RAA signed with Australia in January.
Meanwhile, former Conservative Minister Greg Clark, MP for Tunbridge Wells, is to be announced as the UK’s new trade ambassador to Japan.
Mr Johnson said he would discuss the UK-Japan trade partnership with Mr Kishida, adding that the trade relationship “is already glorious and growing” with “cooperation in science, digital technology and many other things”.
Speaking to a translator, the Japanese Prime Minister thanked Mr Johnson for the “warm welcome” and noted he had taken his time despite local elections being held in the UK.
He told the prime minister he was looking forward to a “very fruitful discussion” on bilateral London-Tokyo relations, as well as on Ukraine and global affairs.
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/boris-johnson-japan-fumio-kishida-downing-street-prime-minister-b2072170.html Britain and Japan agree on defense deal as Johnson warns of threat from ‘autocratic powers’
