Visit of Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) Ships to the UK and Japan Self-Defense Forces Day Reception on board JS Kashima

Two Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) vessels visited the UK from 5 to 9 September as part of an Overseas Training Cruise 2024.

• Training Vessel JS Kashima visited London
• Training Vessel JS Shimakaze visited Southampton

As part of the Overseas Training Cruise 2024, joint exercises were conducted with the Royal Navy. Discussions were also held on security issues with the navies of NATO member countries, including the UK, as well as experts from King’s College London. Other activities included exchanges between young Japanese and British officers, a memorial service at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior, and an open-air musical performance by the Training Squadron Band.

Ambassador HAYASHI Hajime welcomed JS Kashima as she passed under Tower Bridge and took part in a media interview on board JS Kashima with Rear Admiral NISHIYAMA Takahiro, Commander of the Overseas Training Cruise 2024. In addition, Ambassador Hayashi gave a lecture to 190 midshipmen and women, who will shoulder the future of the JMSDF, on security policy and the Japan-UK partnership, which has a long history and tradition and is multifaceted, ranging from politics, diplomacy, security and defence, the economy and business, and culture.

On 6 September, a reception was held on board JS Kashima to celebrate the port call and Japan Self-Defence Forces Day with approximately 120 participants from the British Government, Parliament, diplomatic corps and business. Ambassador Hayashi, Commander Nishiyama, and Admiral Sir Ben Key, First Sea Lord of the Royal Navy, delivered the opening addresses. A Kagami-Wari (Barrel-Opening) ceremony was conducted by guests of honour wishing for further develoment in the Japan-UK partnership.

The international security environment is becoming more severe in various parts of the world, as the international order that has been established is challenged by Russia's aggression against Ukraine and attempts to unilaterally change the status quo by force in the East and South China Seas. Against this backdrop, over the last year and into this year, there have been a number of crucial developments in Japan-UK partnership, particularly in regard to Japan-UK defence cooperation. This UK port call by the Overseas Training Cruise 2024 became the first Self-Defense Force operation to apply the Japan-UK Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA), which is one of the significant advancements of Japan-UK defence cooperation in recent years.

Japan welcomes the deployment of the UK Carrier Strike Group to the Indo-Pacific region scheduled in 2025 and will continue to work to elevate the bilateral defence cooperation to an even higher level.