The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force and the British Army are conducting joint exercises for the first time since the agreement to strengthen security cooperation came into effect, and a part of it was released in Miyagi Prefecture on the 23rd.
The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force and the British Army have been conducting joint training for the fourth time since the 4th of this month.
On the 15rd, part of the training simulating the defense of remote islands was opened to the press at the Ojojihara Training Area in Miyagi Prefecture, and the head of the Ground Self-Defense Force, Chief of Staff Yasuomi Morishita, and the British Ambassador to Japan, Mr. Longbottom, also inspected the drill.
In order to strengthen security cooperation, the governments of Japan and the United Kingdom signed a "facilitation agreement" that pre-agreed on the handling of weapons and ammunition for joint training between the Self-Defense Forces and the British military, which came into effect last month.
The drills will be held for the first time since the agreement came into effect, and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force says that the procedures for entering British troops into Japan and bringing in weapons and ammunition have been simplified and it has become easier to coordinate the training.
In addition to the United Kingdom, we have a facilitation agreement with Australia, and with the United States, the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement stipulates specific provisions.