Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida held talks with British Prime Minister Sunak on the 11th and officially signed the "Japan-UK Smooth Agreement" (Reciprocal Access Agreement, RAA) that allows the two sides to deploy armed forces to each other, simplifying the joint training procedures of the Japanese Self-Defense Forces and the British Army , considered the most important defense agreement between Britain and Japan in more than a century.

(AFP)

The first European country to sign a contract with Japan to allow British troops to station in Japan

[Special Commissioner Lin Cuiyi, compiled by Zhou Hongwen/Comprehensive Report] Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who is visiting Europe, held talks with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on the evening of the 11th, and plans to formally sign the "Mutual Access Agreement" that allows the two sides to deploy armed forces to each other Agreement" (RAA, Japan-UK Smooth Agreement), simplifying the joint training procedures of the Japanese Self-Defense Forces and the British Army, becoming the second country in the world and the first in Europe to sign the RAA with Japan. The most important defense agreement of the century.

Kishida visits Europe and the United States to strengthen the anti-China link

Before his visit to the UK, Kishida visited Italy and held talks with Italian Prime Minister Meloni.

Kishida explained to Meloni the three documents of the national security strategy revised at the end of last year. The two sides reached a consensus on launching diplomatic and defense consultations, and announced at a joint press conference after the meeting that the relationship between the two countries will be upgraded to a "strategic partnership." To strengthen cooperation in security and economic fields.

By visiting the five European and American countries, Kishida has strengthened the anti-China link.

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In December last year, Japan, Britain, and Italy announced that they would jointly develop a new generation of fighter jets, planning to replace the existing F-2 fighter jets from 2035.

The three countries of Japan, Britain and Italy have developed into a groundbreaking Eurasian partnership through the cooperation project of a new generation of fighter jets, and the United States is also optimistic about its success.

The Nikkei reported that Russia's invasion of Ukraine has changed Europe's security outlook. Europe is wary of the Sino-Russian alliance and has begun to pay attention to the possibility of China's military invasion of Taiwan.

When Kishida participated in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit last June, he emphasized that Europe and Indo-Pacific security are inseparable, and Europe also welcomed Japan's participation in European security.

The most important defense agreement since the alliance

The United Kingdom is the second country to conclude an RAA with Japan after Australia in January last year. After 15 years of negotiations, the two sides finally made a decision.

Sunak said before the meeting that this is the most important defense agreement concluded between the two countries for more than a century since the Anglo-Japanese alliance in 1902, and the deployment of British troops in Japan will become possible in the future.

At present, the military agreements concluded between Japan and major European countries include defense equipment with Britain, France, Italy and Germany.

The technology transfer agreement and the intelligence protection agreement, and the Agreement on the Mutual Provision of Articles and Services (ACSA) with Britain and France. The Japan-UK RAA signed this time is the most important, and the relationship between the two parties will also be upgraded to a "quasi-alliance" relationship.

U.S. to increase deployment of anti-ship missiles in Japan

According to Reuters, citing three U.S. officials on the 10th, the U.S. will significantly increase the deployment of anti-ship missiles in Japan to further deter China. It is expected to be completed by 2025 at the latest.

With the size of the US military stationed in Japan unchanged, the anti-ship missiles will be attached to the newly reorganized "Marine Littoral Regiment" (MLR). About 2,000 people will be stationed in Okinawa. The mission focus will be advanced intelligence, reconnaissance and transportation. This is the first in a series of military announcements the US is expected to make in Asia this year, with the aim of making China think twice before launching any conflict.