Japan on track for defence pacts with Australia, Britain, amid China concerns
- House of Councillors approved the RAAs, which set rules for the transport of personnel, weapons and supplies, after House of Representatives gave green light
- In a veiled counter to China’s aggressive posture in the Indo-Pacific, the agreement would make Canberra and London Tokyo’s access agreement partners
Japan’s parliament on Friday approved legislation for defence cooperation agreements with Australia and Britain, paving the way for the pacts to take effect once the two partners complete their approval processes.
In a veiled counter to China’s military rise and aggressive posture in the Indo-Pacific, the agreement would make Canberra and London Tokyo’s first and second reciprocal access agreement partners.
Japan’s House of Councillors, the upper chamber, approved the RAAs, which set rules for the transport of personnel, weapons and supplies, after the House of Representatives gave the green light earlier this year.
Similar to the Japan-US Status of Forces Agreement, the pacts are expected to facilitate faster deployment of Japan’s Self-Defence Forces and the Australian and British forces in joint drills and disaster relief operations.
The pacts were approved as Japan has been strengthening security ties with the United States and other countries to enhance deterrence against China, which has become more militarily assertive in the East China Sea.
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Japan conducts parachute training with British and Australian armies for first time
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida signed the RAA with then Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison last year when they held a virtual meeting and the RAA with his British counterpart Rishi Sunak this year during their talks in London.