January 20, 2025
Ministry of Defense
1. Visit to BAE Systems
On January 14, Defense Minister Nakatani visited BAE Systems plc, one of the GCAP industry partners, in Lancashire. He toured the facilities where the technological development being made, and received briefings on the company’s overview by CEO, Dr. Charles Woodburn, CBE, as well as the journey of GCAP team so far.
2. Japan-UK Defense Ministerial Meeting
On January 15, Minister Nakatani and Secretary of State for Defence, the Rt Hon John Healey MP held the defense ministerial meeting at the Ministry of Defence of UK for the first time since appointment as the Minister. Both Ministers concurred to deepen bilateral cooperation as each other’s closest partners in Asia and Europe.
Link: Japan-UK Defense Ministerial Meeting
3. Visit to GIGO
On the same day, Minister Nakatani visited the headquarters of GIGO (GCAP International Government Organisation), an international organization to control and manage the GCAP in an integrated manner. He had a meeting with the first Chief Executive Mr. Masami Oka, the former Vice-Minister of Defense for International Affairs of Japan, and had talks with the staff from Japan, the UK and Italy.
4. Visit to PJHQ
On the same day, Minister Nakatani visited the PJHQ of the British Armed Forces, where he was briefed by Chief of Joint Operations, head of the PJHQ, on the overview of PJHQ and held discussion including on future cooperation. PJHQ has a history of about 30 years since its establishment, and is a counterpart of the J-JOC (Joint Operations Command of JSDF), a new joint command to be established in SDF this year. The knowledge gained through the visit will be beneficial for the MOD/SDF.
