Rishi Sunak welcomed the defense pact with Japan, which could see British troops sent eastwards to the Pacific on ’tilt’ ahead of meeting his counterpart Fumio Kishida in London today – but the deal could mean squadrons charged with off-duty crimes be fired, be threatened with the death penalty

British troops could be stationed in Japan to counter China as part of a new defense deal.

The Prime Minister signed a Mutual Access Agreement (RAA) with the Japanese Prime Minister, Fumio Kishida, at the Tower of London this afternoon.

It will strengthen defense ties between Britain and Japan in the face of growing threats from China and North Korea.

Troops have participated in training exercises together, but the agreement allows troops to be stationed in each other’s countries.

It will make the UK the first European country to sign a mutual access agreement with Japan, with No.10 calling it the most important defense agreement between London and Tokyo since 1902.

The treaty is part of Britain’s defense and foreign policy “tilt” to the Indo-Pacific following an integrated review in 2021 that recognized China’s growing influence in the region.

But while British troops on duty are subject to British law, off-duty soldiers are subject to the Japanese legal system, meaning they can face the death penalty for the most serious crimes.

It will strengthen defense ties between Britain and Japan in the face of growing threats from China and North Korea.

British troops in Japan could be hanged if found guilty of serious crimes under a new defense deal to be signed by Rishi Sunak. Here, Japanese, American, British and Australian troops participated in an annual exercise

Mr. Sunak welcomed his Japanese counterpart in London and made brief remarks about the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership and the war in Ukraine before meeting at the historic site.

“It’s great to welcome you here in London and in the UK, it’s a great pleasure to have you here at the Tower of London. The relationship between our two countries is stronger than ever, not only in terms of trade and security, but also in terms of our values, and I think we have demonstrated this brilliantly in the past year,” he said, referring to the support of Ukraine.

Mr. Kishida, in turn, thanked the Prime Minister for his “warm hospitality”. “This year, Japan holds the presidency of the G7,” he told the prime minister. “Let’s have a strategic conversation, that’s our hope. Thank you for creating this opportunity,” he told Mr. Sunak said, referring to the importance of security and cooperation between the two countries.

Shadow Defense Secretary John Healey said: “This important bilateral agreement has Labour’s full support.

It lays the foundation for joint defense developments with a close ally at a time of increasing uncertainty. Now we expect ministers to draw up a long-term plan and not just sign this agreement with Japan today.

Mr Kishida’s visit to London is part of a tour of five G7 countries, with Japan taking over the group’s rotating presidency for 2023.

His five-day trip, during which he will visit France, Italy, Britain, Canada and finally the US, comes as Japan breaks its post-war reluctance to take on more offensive roles, with China in mind.

Japan announced last month that it had introduced security and defense reforms, including a counterattack that breaks with the principle of pure self-defense that has prevailed since its defeat in World War II.

In the historic Tower of London, Mr. Sunak and Mr. Kishida viewed the Japanese armor on display.

It was presented to King James I in 1613 by the then shogun Tokugawa Hidetada of Japan on the occasion of the very first commercial agreement between England and Japan.

The death penalty is legal in Japan for cases of “aggravated murder”, including mass murder or murder of children.

The MoD believes diplomatic pressure can be used to prevent the deal from being shelved and that the benefits of the deal are worth the risk, according to The Times.

British negotiators tried to reach an agreement to grant immunity to their troops, but eventually agreed to a treaty similar to Australia’s with Japan.

The pact also discusses immigration, the transport of weapons and the legal rights of military personnel when visiting Japan.

Last month, Japan announced it would double its defense spending to better protect itself against threats from North Korea and China.

It comes after a US warship caught China flat-footed on Thursday as it sailed through the sensitive Taiwan Strait.

It will strengthen defense ties between Britain and Japan in the face of growing threats from China and North Korea – after the troops took part in training exercises together

The Chinese military has been holding large-scale joint combat drills since Sunday, sending warplanes and naval vessels to Taiwan on Sunday and in the early hours of Monday.

British troops have held joint exercises with American and Japanese troops in recent days.

In November, British and Japanese troops trained to recapture an island. Last month, the soldiers took part in a bilateral war games exercise in central Japan’s Gunma prefecture.

The last execution of the death penalty in Japan was in July, but there are currently 107 people sentenced to death.

Kishida’s visit to London is part of a larger journey including France, Italy, Canada and the US – ahead of the G7 summit in Hiroshima in May.