Press Releases
Exchange of Diplomatic Notes for Entry into Force of Japan-UK Reciprocal Access Agreement
September 15, 2023
On September 15, in London, UK, Japan and the United Kingdom exchanged diplomatic notes for the entry into force of the “Agreement between Japan and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland concerning the Facilitation of Reciprocal Access and Cooperation between the Self-Defense Forces of Japan and the Armed Forces of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland” (“Japan-UK Reciprocal Access Agreement”, or “Japan-UK RAA”) (signed on January 11, 2023). With this exchange of notes, the Agreement will enter into force on October 15, 2023.
- The Japan-UK RAA is an agreement which establishes procedures between Japan and the UK for the cooperative activities conducted by defense force of one country while visiting the other country and defines a status of the visiting force. It is expected that the Japan-UK RAA will facilitate the conduct of cooperative activities, such as port calls of vessels and joint exercises between the two countries and further promote bilateral security and defense cooperation.
- With the entry into force of the Agreement, the security and defense cooperation between Japan and the UK, each other’s closest security partners in Asia and Europe, will be lifted to new heights and the movement toward the realization of a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” will be further enhanced.
(Reference)Related Links
- Agreement between Japan and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland concerning the Facilitation of Reciprocal Access and Cooperation between the Self-Defense Forces of Japan and the Armed Forces of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (Japanese)
- Signing of Japan-UK Reciprocal Access Agreement