British Ambassador to Japan Julia Longbottom during an interview in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo, on the morning of August 22. (©Sankei by Takumi Kamoshida)
Coinciding with the arrival in Japan of the British Royal Navy's carrier strike group led by HMS Prince of Wales, British Ambassador to Japan Julia Longbottom spoke with The Sankei Shimbun on August 22nd.
She said the latest port call underscores the United Kingdom's cooperation with allies such as the United States, Japan, and Australia, while sending a "strong message" to countries that "may not share the same respect for [rule-based order]."
The ambassador also noted the importance of UK-Japan security collaboration as military pressures from China, Russia, and North Korea continue to mount in the Indo-Pacific.
This is the second port call by a British carrier strike group in Japan, following HMS Queen Elizabeth and accompanying vessels in 2021.
Shifting Global Landscape
With Russia's invasion of Ukraine and turmoil in the Middle East in mind, the ambassador said that the world has become "much more complex and uncertain" than it was four years ago. The UK's increasing security ties with Japan, she added, is a response to these challenges.
For the first time, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force escort ships carried out joint training with the British carrier strike group. The exercise was carried out within the framework of the Japan–UK Hiroshima Accord, announced by the leaders of both nations in May 2023.
"It's a great example of these are not just fine words. We're actually following up with action," she said of the recent drill.
Deepening Cooperation
The ambassador also mentioned the F-35B stealth fighter, soon to be deployed on British aircraft carriers, noting its first-ever landing on the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer Kaga.
"We're continuing to advance our cooperation," she said.
The Prince of Wales serves as the flagship of the British fleet, equipped with the latest defense technology and capable of carrying up to 24 F-35B aircraft.
"It's important to show others that we have this innovation and technology to show our strength, but also to share more of it with our partners like Japan, our trusted partners," the ambassador said.
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Author: Mizuki Okada, The Sankei Shimbun
(Read the article in Japanese)
