(Press Release: Provisional Translation)
July , 2024
Ministry of Defense Japan
On July 23, commencing at 12:55 (local time) for approximately 20 minutes,Minister KIHARA held a Defense Ministerial Meeting with Secretary of State for Defence of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Rt Hon John Healey MP in London.
- At the beginning of the meeting, Minster Kihara extended his congratulation to Secretary Healey on his appointment to the Secretary of State for Defence, and both sides concurred to deepen bilateral cooperation as each other’s closes partners in Asia and Europoe.
- The Ministers discussed defense policies of both countries, and confirmed the bilateral progress in the area of security, which includes formally reaching an agreement between the defense authorities to apply Japan Self Defense Forces’ Asset Protection Measures to the UK. In addition, Minister Kihara expressed his welcome for UK further strengthening its engagement to the Indo-Pacific region,including the deployment of carrier strike group scheduled in 2025.
- The meeting also included a discussion on defense equipment and technology cooperation.
- The Ministeres concurred to continue to work closely together towards further deepening Japan-UK defense cooperation and exchanges.