LONDON: UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida will sign an agreement to further renews security ties, including the UK commitment to deploy fighter jets carrier strike group to the Indo-Pacific in 2025.
According to a statement from Sunak’s office released on Thursday, the so-called “Hiroshima Accord” would cover investment and trade, collaboration on science and technology, and joint initiatives to tackle world issues such as climate change.
Sunak said, “The Hiroshima Accord would see us step up cooperation between our forces, grow our economies together, and develop our globe-leading science and technology expertise,” and “It marks an exciting next phase in the UK and Japan’s flourishing relationship.”
Under the agreement, the United Kingdom would deploy its Carrier Strike Group to the Indo-Pacific in 2025 and double troop numbers in upcoming joint armed forces exercises.
The two countries would also agree on a formal “Consult Clause,” under which the Japan and UK commit to consulting each other on important regional and world security issues and consider measures in response.
Sunak is due to reach Tokyo on Thursday and will also meet key Japanese business leaders in Tokyo.
Tokyo and London are deepening relations amid heightened tensions in the Asia Pacific over North Korea’s advancing weapons programme and China’s increasingly assertive positions on issues such as Taiwan and the disputed South China Sea, which it claims almost entirely.
In January, Japan plans to strengthen security relations with the United States amid concerns about China, which the two countries said posed an “unprecedented” threat to international order. Japan is part of the Quad security alliance with India, Australia, and the US.
UK and Japan will stage the joint Vigilant Isles army exercises in Japan this year. It is the fourth time the drills are being held, and about 170 United Kingdom personnel are scheduled to participate, including from the 1 Royal Gurkha Rifles and 16 Air Assault Brigade.
The UK’s HMS Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier and its Royal Navy ships made their maiden voyage to the region in 2021, travelling via India, Singapore, and the South China Sea to Japan and South Korea.
The statement said in 2025, the fleet has expected to work alongside the Japanese Self Defence Forces (JSDF) and other regional allies “to help defend peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific.”
