British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida will sign a defense pact in London on Wednesday allowing the two countries to station troops on each other's soil, the latest move towards closer security ties.
Kishida and Sunak will sign a mutual defense agreement, agreed in principle last May, a month after the two countries cooperated with Italy on a new fighter jet programme.
In a statement, Sunak described the "mutual access agreement" as very important for the two countries, as it would - according to Sunak - strengthen commitment to the Indian and Pacific Oceans.
"In this increasingly competitive world, it is more important than ever that democratic communities continue to stand shoulder to shoulder as we confront the unprecedented global challenges of our time," he added.
Kishida is visiting Britain as part of a G7 tour of the world's largest economies, including France, Italy, Canada and the United States, where Japan currently holds the presidency of the group.
Sunak and Kishida are also expected to discuss trade and Britain's accession to the comprehensive and advanced Trans-Ocean Partnership agreement.
Quiet.
It is noteworthy that last December, Britain and Japan also launched a digital partnership.