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Japan seeks visit from British aircraft carrier to counter regional rivals: sources
- HMS Queen Elizabeth is the largest vessel ever built for Britain’s Royal Navy and Tokyo seems ‘very keen’ for it to dock in a Japanese port soon
- Analysts say such a move would build upon the two sides’ enhanced defence partnership in recent years
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Japan wants Britain to emphasise bilateral security ties by sending its newest aircraft carrier to the country as soon as possible, the South China Morning Post has learned.
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HMS Queen Elizabeth is the largest vessel ever built for Britain’s Royal Navy, weighing in at 65,000 tonnes. It is not expected to fully enter service until next year, but Tokyo is “very keen” that its first deployment include a visit to a Japanese port, according to an official who was not authorised to speak publicly on the matter.
Gavin Williamson, the UK’s defence secretary, announced in February that the new warship would be sent to the Pacific region in 2021. He made no mention of where it would dock, however.
The two countries have undertaken a number of joint security and defence initiatives in recent years, and a port call by the British aircraft carrier on its maiden voyage would serve to underline this enhanced partnership to Japan’s regional rivals, the source in Tokyo said.
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