UK and Japan Begin Negotiations on Reciprocal Military Base Use... Strengthening Counterbalance Against China

Negotiations Begin with the UK Following Agreement with Australia in November Last Year
France and India Also Pursuing Agreements... Maritime Training Expected to Intensify

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] The United Kingdom and Japan announced that they will begin negotiations to conclude a Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) allowing joint use of military bases between the two countries. Following last year’s agreements by Quad member countries Japan, Australia, and India?a military alliance aimed at countering China?the UK is also moving to conclude an RAA with Japan, signaling its full-scale entry into military efforts to counter China.

On the 28th (local time), UK Defense Secretary Ben Wallace stated in a press release, "The UK and Japan have agreed to officially begin negotiations on the RAA to strengthen defense relations between the two countries," emphasizing, "Japan is our close security partner in Asia, and through this agreement, we aim to establish a foundation for joint exercises, mutual military activities, and the establishment of a joint defense engagement program."

The UK Foreign Office also explained in a statement, "The start of these agreement talks came immediately after the UK’s aircraft carrier strike group visited Japan, demonstrating a firm commitment to supporting regional collective security issues."

Once the RAA is concluded, entry procedures for each other’s military personnel will be simplified, and joint training between the Japanese and British forces is expected to be promoted more actively. Japan previously announced in November last year that it had concluded an RAA with Australia, a Quad member, and earlier in June last year, Australia and India also announced the conclusion of RAA negotiations. Accordingly, the UK is expected to actively participate in military activities aimed at countering China alongside the Quad member countries.

According to the Mainichi Shimbun, the Japanese government is reportedly pursuing RAA agreements not only with the UK but also with France and India. France, which has stationed military units in its overseas territory of New Caledonia in the South Pacific, is also expected to actively participate in maritime exercises alongside the Quad and the UK in the future.