HMS Queen Elizabeth and her Carrier Strike Group will visit Japan this weekend, the Ministry of Defence have announced.
The UK Government say that the visit will be a powerful demonstration of the UK’s close and enduring partnership with Japan and the UK’s commitment to maritime security in the Indo-Pacific region. A statement reads:
“The visit is part of the maiden operational deployment of HMS Queen Elizabeth. The period in and around Japan will reinforce the UK’s commitment to a resilient international order in which open societies based on shared values grow prosperity and champion free trade. The visit is also an important component of the UK’s renewed focus on the Indo-Pacific, outlined in the Integrated Review. The UK is committed to advancing security, defence and development cooperation with Japan, on the basis of a shared outlook on freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law, as well as free trade.”
UK Ambassador to Japan, Julia Longbottom said:
“The visit to Japan of HMS Queen Elizabeth and other UK vessels of the Carrier Strike Group is a confident embodiment of the close and deepening relationship between the UK and Japan.
The UK is committed to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region and as a like-minded democracy is committed to working with Japan to meet shared global challenges, such as cyber security and climate change, and to ensure the global systems that promote the free flow of trade and knowledge are strengthened.
The UK-Japan relationship has a long history. We believe this visit marks the elevation of our defence and security relationship to a new level.”
The Ministry of Defence add that CSG21 will continue with a programme of bilateral maritime and air exercises with Japan’s Self Defence Forces over the next few weeks. Royal Navy ships from the CSG21, HMS Kent and HMS Richmond, also visited the Japanese port of Sasebo last month.
UK Defence Attaché to Japan, Captain Simon Staley said:
“The Carrier Strike Group’s deployment to Japan and the Indo-Pacific as part of its maiden operational voyage demonstrates the UK’s commitment to work with Japan, our closest security partner in Asia. To operate alongside the JSDF in exercises covering surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare and air warfare, we have pushed our partnership to a new level. In demonstrating our maritime capability and ambition we can work further with Japan in developing equipment together in the future.”
As part of its maiden operational deployment, the Ministry of Defence say that HMS Queen Elizabeth and her Carrier Strike Group will sail over 26,000 nautical miles, engaging with 40 countries from the Mediterranean to the Indo-Pacific and back again.
“This deployment will provide tangible reassurance and security to our friends and a credible deterrence to those who seek to undermine global security.”
The group comprises nine ships, 32 aircraft and one submarine and is manned by 3,700 sailors, aviators and marines from the combined forces of the UK, US and the Netherlands.
Any idea where? Mooring up QE outside Tokyo as they did for NYC visit would be great but presume be somewhere else that has a military base/port. I presume no port visits allowed though in Tokyo.
Yokohama I believe
Yokosuka Port…autocorrect ahhhh
Yokosuka. Yokohama is the ‘city’ directly to the north of it. Both are the Greater Tokyo Area.
I very much doubt shore leave will be allowed as Japan, especially Tokyo, is going through a COVID shitshow right now (and they’re in denial about how bad it is).
Denying enough that the PM has just quit after only 1 year in office!
No shore leave has been announced already. Looks like its going to be the US Navy part of Yokosuka as well.
Some interesting points in those statements.
Firstly, the UK Ambassador mentioned “knowledge” as well as cyber security, climate change and free trade. Hints at the wholesale theft of IP that China has been indulging in.
Secondly, the Defence Attache also mentioned cooperation on future defence equipment. Clearly, this is something the UK is keen on and from what I have read the Japanese are also keen to develop the realationship.
However, both the UK and Japan will come under huge pressure from the US, especially Japan, to buy US defence equipment. That, however, is balanced in the UK by apparent irritation that we have bought US kit off the shelf and there has been no reciprication… although why we would expect any such US buys in the UK is beyond me.
Cheers CR
Believe we are working jointly on a improved Meteor variety. Also understand that we tried to get the Japanese interested in joining the Tempest programme, but don’t think that was successful -partially due to US pressure!!!!
Hi Deep32,
Just found this link to an Australian Strategic Policy Institute article in their ‘The Strategist’ magazine. Have a read, it is very very interesting…
The final line is telling, “the solution may come from the other island nation that flanks Eurasia.”
The two nations have much in common and I think that the developing relationship could well become one of our most important bi-lateral relationships going forward. This may be especially true with the US seemingly moving into another isolationist or at least go it alone phase, as it does from time to time.
The UK / Japan relationship would be far more equal as well. An important point from the UK perspective I think. However, both the UK and Japan will be keen to keep the US engaged – so I do not see the end to USMC deployments on board the QEC anytime soon. The ‘special relationship’ works on many levels so even if the politians don’t get on as well as they should, the state machines tend to hang on in there.
If we can develop a similar level of relationship with Japan our position in the world will be enhanced I think.
Cheers CR
“Climate change” there is climate change but it’s natural… earths climate has been changing ever since earth was created…
And amazingly I had some idiot argue japans Tsunami was a huge sign of climate change !!!!
Hi Reaper,
Er, no the Tsunami in Japan was definately due to tectonic plate motion… Some people really don’t get it do they!
Strictly speaking you are correct ‘Climate Change’ is natural. However, the phrase is now being used as short hand for human unduced climate change. I suppose without clarifying the contribution that human activity is making I was being lazy.
I am assuming that you are not denying the impact that human activity is having on our climate…
Cheers CR
Considering the likes of the mess with Alpi Aviation (an attempt by China to just buy and take the whole firm), and the UK’s desire to get some partners for the likes of Tempest (and Japan needing better future fighter plans), perhaps so.
Note 1SL has stated HMS Tamar & HMS Spey will join CSG21 going the long way around, west about. If that’s still valid, any idea where they are now?
HMS Diamond also approaching Indian Ocean. Eonder if she’s just ‘patched’ or work was more substantial. Either way, a few mildly pissed-off matelots onboard (leastways, I’d have been in my younger days)
They’re in Portsmouth! 😉
Ah, well – justifies their cost in that case Lusty. Warp Drive, evidently.
I wonder if they will visit Mikasa, if they are in Yokosuka. A rather impressive & effective British export.
Looks like they’ll be at the USN base and confined to ship.
The Anglo-Japanese Alliance of 1902 was the first Treaty to end Britain’s “Splendid Isolation”. It was the first Alliance of equal terms between East and West. It was finally repudiated by Britain in 1923 under pressure from America, Canada and Australia. It didn’t help that when Japan asked for a Racial Equality clause in the League of Nations Britain refused because of it’s “White Australia” policy.