Japan and the UK are set to sign a big defense pact that can help these countries boost cooperation with the US within the Indo-Pacific region.

The two states also strengthened containment of the threat from China, according to the Financial Times report citing persons involved in the Japan-UK negotiations on the issue.

The Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) will follow the agreement with Australia that was signed in January.

The FT emphasized that this is one more signal of Japan forging deeper defense ties with allies and partners to get ready for the potential war with China over Taiwan.

The agreement should strengthen logistical cooperation between the countries and simplify the conduct of joint exercises. In addition, a legislative framework will be created to improve both countries’ cooperation in logistics as well as simplify the procedure for introducing the troops.

The negotiations began in May 2022, during the meeting of Fumio Kishida, Japan’s Prime Minister, and Boris Johnson, the then-British Prime Minister.

In December 2002, the countries are also expected to share details of a partnership on the joint development of a fighter plane.

In addition, Japan is in the preliminary stages of developing a similar agreement with the Philippines.

Former Pentagon official Christopher Johnstone emphasized Japan’s efforts to diversify security ties with US allies and partners.

“An RAA between Japan and the Philippines would be far more consequential strategically,” Johnstone said.

He added that the prospect of deeper defense cooperation between Tokyo and Manila would signal to China that the US is expanding its web of alliances in the region.

US army officers welcome Japan’s push to signal reciprocal entry offers beacuse of they make it simpler for Japanese and American allies to conduct joint coaching and workouts.

Regarding the implementation of the cooperation agreement between Japan and Great Britain on the creation of a fighter plane, it largely depends on political developments within the UK, where Rishi Sunak lately became the Prime Minister.

A UK defense ministry spokesperson mentioned that the talks have been “progressing positively” however added that it might be “inappropriate” to touch upon the signing of the RAA right now.

As previously reported, Japan is considering hypersonic missile deployment by 2030.