The UK and Japan have agreed to commence formal
negotiations on a Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) to
deepen the defence relationship between the two countries.
Japan is a vital and like-minded partner for the UK in the
Indo Pacific region. This Agreement, when concluded, will
help enable the two countries and their militaries to work
together to address global security challenges and counter
shared threats.
Importantly, it matches the UK’s strategic shift in effort
and resource to the Indo Pacific, as set out in the
Integrated Review in March. These talks will bring that
commitment into reality and send a clear signal about the
UK and Japan’s determination to deepen bilateral defence
cooperation and support for the rules-based international
order.
Defence Secretary 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.”
The aim is to create the conditions for a deeper, more
regular and complex defence engagement programme, setting
out the terms and conditions for UK and Japanese personnel
undertaking activity in one another’s countries which makes
bi-lateral activities like training and joint exercises
easier and quicker to facilitate – consequently feeding
into a more regular programme of events.
Foreign Secretary said:
“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.
