British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has stressed the need for European and East Asian allies to united against “autocratic, coercive powers” as he hailed a new defence pact with Japan.
Speaking in Downing Street alongside visiting Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, Johnson said he was “so glad” the two nations had agreed a reciprocal access agreement (RAA) for armed services.
The landmark defence partnership will see UK and Japanese armed forces deploy together to carry out training, joint exercises, and disaster relief activities, boosting the UK’s commitment to the Indo–Pacific region, Downing Street said in a statement.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson welcomes Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida with a Guard of Honour in Westminster, London, on May 5, 2022. (Dan Kitwood /Getty Images)
The UK will be the first European country to have such a pact with Japan, which currently has just two other bilateral visiting forces agreements, with the United States and Australia respectively.
…