Japan-UK boost defence ties as British aircraft carrier docks in Tokyo

Japan and Britain’s defence ministers praised their “deep strategic alignment” on Thursday as a Royal Navy aircraft carrier made a landmark visit to Tokyo.

The HMS Prince of Wales is leading a 12-nation carrier strike group of 4,000 personnel on an eight-month mission in the region, according to AP reporting.

It became the first foreign aircraft carrier to dock in the city, UK Defence Secretary John Healey announced at a joint press conference.

“We are proud to be taking our air and our naval cooperation now to new levels,” Healey said following talks at Japan’s Defence Ministry with his counterpart, Gen Nakatani.

The strengthened cooperation reflects Britain’s broader commitment to play a more active role in Indo-Pacific security and economic affairs.

“Japan and the UK are the closest security partners in Asia and Europe and we have steadily enhanced cooperation,” Nakatani said. “I’m extremely happy to share this historic moment when Japan-UK defence cooperation has reached a new level.”

Both nations are also working on the development of a next-generation fighter jet for deployment by 2035 under the Global Combat Air Program, a trilateral initiative that includes Italy.

By Nazrin Sadigova