Summary: The UK and Japan have signed an historic agreement which will allow them to share classified information in order to jointly develop and produce defence equipment.
The UK Foreign Secretary William Hague and His Excellency Mr Keiichi Hayashi, Ambassador of Japan to the United Kingdom, announced the signing of the UK-Japan Defence Equipment Cooperation Framework and an Information Security Agreement this week.
The Defence Equipment Cooperation Framework will enable joint research, development and the production of defence equipment, while the Information Security Agreement sets out the standards and arrangements for the security protection of classified information exchanged between the UK and Japan.
As a result, collaboration will start in the area of chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear protection. More projects involving defence and security companies are to follow.
The UK is the first country in the world to sign such a comprehensive agreement with Japan after changes to guidelines on the overseas transfer of defence equipment.
Mr Hague said: “Japan is a key ally of the UK and we work closely together on many issues of global foreign and security policy. This is a groundbreaking agreement which will enable joint research, development and production of defence equipment.
“It will facilitate closer relationships between British and Japanese defence industries, support their endeavours to work collaboratively, and contribute to the already close security and defence cooperation between the UK and Japan, aimed at promoting global peace and stability.”
Minister for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology Philip Dunne said:
“This is an important step in developing the UK-Japan defence relationship. Government and industry on both sides have worked hard to put these agreements in place and to identify areas of co-operation that will contribute to the security of the UK and Japan and benefit our respective industries.
“I am looking forward to working with counterparts in Japan to take forward the range of new opportunities that these agreements will enable.”
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