https://www.asiaone.com/world/japan-uk-agree-strengthen-security-ties
British and Japanese foreign leaders met to discuss their joint security efforts this past week. This comes after four major states, including Russia and the United States, allied with Japan for security purposes this past year. Both countries agreed to finalize the Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA) soon in order to develop a quicker system of exchange in case of a humanitarian or natural emergency in Japan. This meeting also included talks of combining forces against cyber and maritime threats from surrounding states. The meeting ended with British leaders supporting Japan’s participation in more global affairs.
As the United Kingdom becomes independent from the European Union, they have been seeking closer ties to be more active in geopolitics. Likewise, Japan has been searching for allyship against China’s invasion of their water territory. While their relationship is not new, the UK and Japan are both rising to power at the same time because of their importance to their region. The UK was a prominent leader in the European Union, while Japan is representing democratic states in their maritime conflicts. Both are vital to each other’s global influence, economies, and protection.
The relationship between the UK and Japan embodies the realist perspective. Both states want global power and need each other to be somewhat relevant in the global context. As for security, Japan has been in need in maritime protection and the UK has been interested in updating their cybersecurity efforts. The UK is also in need of more technological advancements that Japan thrives on. On the other hand, Japan lacks resources for natural disasters that the UK can provide. While the allyship helps both equally, it’s based on global dominance.