Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Palestinian media: Israeli occupation forces storm the Old City in the center of Nablus, occupied West Bank
Local sources to Al Mayadeen: Sudanese army forces drones strike town of Kabkabiya, North Darfur.
Syrian Observatory: The plane is loaded with air defense systems and heavy weapons as part of US troop reinforcements to its bases in northeastern Syria
Syrian Observatory: US cargo plane lands with two military helicopters at Kharab al-Jir base in the countryside of Rmeilan, north of Hasakah
Miguel Díaz-Canel to Gustavo Petro: US seeks to reimpose the Monroe Doctrine in its relations with sovereign states in Latin America and the Caribbean.
The Abu Ali Mustapha Brigades, the military wing of the PFLP, says they handed over the body of an Israeli captive to the Israeli occupation forces in implementation of the clauses of the ceasefire agreement.
Al Mayadeen correspondent: Israeli drones are flying over the presidential palace in Baabda, Mount Lebanon, and over the skies of the capital, Beirut, and its suburbs.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in South Lebanon: Israeli warplanes launch a series of raids on the al-Mahmoudiya and Jarmaq areas
Trump reiterates proposal for Russia and Ukraine to stop at current front line, negotiate later
Reuters: Trump says no discussion regarding Ukraine ceding Donbas to Russia

UK, Japan to ink major defense deal allowing troop deployments

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 11 Jan 2023 08:12
  • 1 Shares
3 Min Read

The negotiations for the treaty, which will be signed at the ancient Tower of London, began in 2021.

  • x
  • Japanese Special Defense (AFP)
    Japanese Special Defense forces (AFP)

When the British and Japanese Prime Ministers meet in London on Wednesday, they will sign a "hugely significant" new defense agreement allowing UK troops to deploy in Japan, as per Downing Street.

The pact is the latest manifestation of London's rising interest in the Asia-Pacific area, as well as Tokyo's efforts to fortify its alliances with the West.

The agreement establishes a legal framework for the deployment of British and Japanese troops on each other's land for training and other purposes.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's office described it as "the most significant defense agreement between the two countries in more than a century."

"In the past 12 months, we have written the next chapter of the relationship between the UK and Japan -- accelerating, building, and deepening our ties," said Sunak.

"This Reciprocal Access Agreement is hugely significant for both our nations -- it cements our commitment to the Indo-Pacific and underlines our joint efforts to bolster economic security," he added.

The negotiations for the treaty, which will be signed at the ancient Tower of London, began in 2021.

Japan inked a similar agreement with Australia in January, and Tokyo has lately revamped its defense and security policies fueling the already rising tensions in the Asia-Pacific region.

On his account, Euan Graham, a senior fellow at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, said the deal is "quite a significant step up for both countries in terms of their bilateral defense relationship."

Related News

LDP's Sanae Takaichi poised to become Japan’s next prime minister

Japan’s Takaichi courts right-wing allies in bid for premiership

British ships and aircraft can visit Japan, although it is "diplomatically complex" and necessitates foreign ministry approval each time.

The new agreement will create a "standing framework" instead, according to Graham.

This will allow one side to "send a destroyer to visit your coast guard, or an army group, or some Royal Marines who wish to train with the Japanese amphibious forces," Graham said, as quoted by AFP.

The big picture

Japan's postwar constitution is pacifist, limiting its military capability to presumably defensive operations.

However, the government authorized plans last month to increase defense expenditure to 2% of GDP by 2027, up from the typical 1% level, claiming that China poses the "biggest strategic danger ever" to its security.

The UK, Italy, and Japan said last month they will jointly develop a future fighter jet.

The proposed "Global Combat Air Programme" is expected to deliver its first jets by 2035, combining the three countries' expensive existing research into new aerial warfare technology, ranging from stealth capability to high-tech sensors.

A British patrol ship also last year took part for the first time in "Exercise Keen Sword," the regular Pacific training operation carried out by the Japanese and US navies.

It is worth noting that Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida kicked off his seven-day tour of European countries, Canada, and the United States in the early hours of Monday.

This year, Japan holds the G7 presidency, and Kishida has pledged that the group will continue to support Ukraine, which is expected to be covered in his talks with Sunak.

Read next: Japan's increase in defense spending concerns China

  • Japan
  • US
  • China
  • Ukraine
  • Defense deal

Most Read

Iran strikes secret Israeli-US bunker under Tel Aviv high-rise

Tel Aviv high-rise struck by Iran hid Site 81, secret US-Israeli base

  • Politics
  • 14 Oct 2025
Yemeni Armed Forces Chief of Staff Major General Mohammad Abd al-Karim al-Ghamari , during a ceremony in an undisclosed locations in Yemen, undate (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemeni Armed Forces mourn martyred Chief of Staff al-Ghamari

  • Politics
  • 16 Oct 2025
Israeli occupation violates Gaza ceasefire, killing seven Palestinians.

Israeli occupation violates Gaza ceasefire, kills seven Palestinians

  • Politics
  • 14 Oct 2025
Zionists Fundamentally Misread Iran Due To Their Own Echo Chambers

Zionists fundamentally misread Iran due to their own echo chambers

  • Analysis
  • 15 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
UK blocks release of documents on secretive Lammy-Sa’ar meeting.
Politics

UK blocks release of documents on secret Lammy-Sa’ar meeting

Colombia slams Trump’s drug accusation, defends sovereignty
Politics

Colombia slams Trump’s incendiary drug claims, defends sovereignty

The abuse was detailed in Giuffre's memoir "Nobody's Girl: A Memoir of Surviving Abuse and Fighting for Justice." (AP)
Politics

Epstein victim recounts choking, sexual assault by 'well-known PM'

The US Secret Service discovered a hunting stand near the airport President Donald Trump uses in Florida. (US Secret Service)
Politics

FBI probes hunting stand with sightline to Trump’s Air Force One exit

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS