Japan, Britain hold joint military exercise in central Japan

For those that don’t understand, UK is leaving the EU. UK needs to sell weapons.

I feel safer already.

For those that don’t understand, UK is leaving the EU. UK needs to sell weapons.

More like UK need more allies after leaving EU and cooperation with Japan have bring both side potential future investment. These last years China is heavily influencing both the middle east and whole Africa with their investment. We do need involvement with other nations in the West and seek more allies or risk getting left behind. Can't keep relying forever on US. Especially not if there are more better deals out there.

Plus i see nothing wrong with training more elite troops instead having troops that have never seen real action before. Quality over quantity. Is not like we are going to war or loss any soldiers. We are just upgrading our troops. Take China for example.They are now sending troops to Syria to train them for how to properly fight in a war. If we ever need the JSDF to defend our nation,we can't say our troops weren't combat ready or couldn't handle the pressure.

GoodlucktoyouToday  09:56 am JST

For those that don’t understand, UK is leaving the EU. UK needs to sell weapons. Japan has a stupid leader who wants to have war.

For those who don't understand, Japan has a leader who does not want to change the first paragraph of Article 9 which makes waging war unconstitutional. In contrast, China has and continues to hold the position that they may use military force against Taiwan should the island seek independence.

This is clearly aimed at China, no doubt!

Two former colonizers , the UK and Japan joining forces to prepare for another 'Opium War' and 'Nanjing Massacre ' respectively!

If President Xi doesn't get this clear message which is in tandem with the American ships sailin within a mile off those new islands then the encirclement will happen sooner than later.

Tokyo and London should repeat such exercises in fellow democracy and ally ROC-TW which incidentally is the one and only genuinely most Nippon-friendly nation on the universe.

Yet decent Japanese wonder why PM Abe still adamantly refuses to re-establish diplomatic relations with the very friendly neighbor in favor of a very unfriendly one!

Is Abe encouraging Nippon to abandon the much fabled Bushido Spirit heritage in favor of Hollywood morals and ethics?

I don't want to comment any opinion of political affair or pointing the enemy China, NK or Russia. I only think that this training is a good experimental military exercise on a defensive tactics. Japan and UK are island nations and they have a lot in common how to defend the land without borders sorrounding only by waters. I also feel that the British military are more disciplined troops to equalize much the Japanese style. The only barrier will be the language to Japanese soldiers adapt the universal language that is English. And I feel that British soldiers will be happy to learn some Japanese language, either. I wish them to be able to do their best the defensive exercises but never that to be offensive landing on other countries...

"America, Japan and the UK: A New Three-Way Alliance against China?

Three of the most powerful democracies in the world are teaming up."

https://nationalinterest.org/feature/america-japan-the-uk-new-three-way-alliance-against-china-20019

For those that don’t understand, UK is leaving the EU. UK needs to sell weapons.

Unfortunately the UK already sells a grat deal of weaponry and tools of death and torture to many countries, including totalitarian and despotic states. It has nothing to do with being in the EU or not, it may blow your mind to discover that EU countries are allowed to trade out the single market.

It's good for both the UK and Japan. Hopefully, both can learn from each other.

@Luddite

it may blow your mind to discover that EU countries are allowed to trade out the single market.

You forgot to mention that EU members are not allowed to create their own trade agreements with other countries. The UK has to trade under the conditions set by the EU, which very often are not in the interests of the UK at all.

Does anybody happen to know which unit of the British army they are training with?

HAC Regiment (Honourable Artillery Company), Japan should be privileged to have the opportunity to train with a special force.

Only 50 British members? PM May has very limited budget.

Nothing screams "alliance" like troops drilling together.

"America, Japan and the UK: A New Three-Way Alliance against China?

Three of the most powerful democracies in the world are teaming up."

In reality these three so-called powerful democracies teamed-up to isolate fellow democracy ROC-TW in favor of (Guess who?) authoritarian Beijing!

What a charade these sneaky so-called stalwarts of democracy are playin!

Japan needs to have armed forces, but much smaller in number than the current forces; they should be specialized professionals equipped for Japan's role in the 21st century, and be independently responsible for helping to ensure regional security. The US should gradually pull its forces out of Japan and allow Japan to take full responsibility for helping ensure regional stability and security. And Japan should be a partner, where required, in any action which is taken to combat threats or conflicts abroad. Give Japan a seat on the UN Security Council. Why not?

Are those guffaws I hear from those who believe the US will never pull out? That Abe won't stop at that? That Japan wants to rule the world? Perhaps that's the problem. Most people see it as inconceivable Japan could ever be trusted or responsible for determining its own destiny.

Well, that's no way to get your islands back.

HAC Regiment (Honourable Artillery Company), Japan should be privileged to have the opportunity to train with a special force.

My uncle was in that regiment.

"You forgot to mention that EU members are not allowed to create their own trade agreements with other countries. The UK has to trade under the conditions set by the EU, which very often are not in the interests of the UK at all."

You are totally incorrect!

And this untruth was one of the main reasons why Vote Leave won the referendum. This plus Turkey's imminent membership of the EU.

The EU does not stop its members from "customising" deals with anyone in the World; leave voters were too busy downing pints rather than trying to ascertain the veracity of all the lies they're told.

"Asked if Britain could still increase trade despite remaining inside a customs union with the EU, Fox said: “Self-evidently, we can do it in a customs union because we can do it now while we are still in the EU,” he said."

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/feb/01/liam-fox-admits-being-in-eu-doesnt-stop-more-trade-with-china

Japan needs to have armed forces, but much smaller in number than the current forces

If the US forces were to pull out, Japan would need armed forces twice the size of they have now. Especially naval and air forces.

We’re not talking about counter insurgency in some Middle East dust bowl or covert spec-ops. Their purpose is defending against a full scale invasion and large scale disaster relief.

I hope to see more exercises between these two countries in future, especially amongst their navies and airforces. Britain's RAF is the world's oldest after all, so I'd imagine they'd have a lot to teach Japan (who in turn could probably teach a few things in return). The Royal Navy would also have a lot to teach, especially now that Japan has its own commando unit somewhat similar to the US Navy SEALS. Japan could stand to learn a few tricks from countries with real-world experience using such military divisions. Especially with China still rattling sabres (though less often lately, or so it seems at least. Perhaps it just isn't being reported as often as it used to be).

Japan needs to have armed forces, but much smaller in number than the current forces

Japan needs to be able to defend itself, and has three neighbours (China, Russia and North Korea) that frequently become aggressive towards Japan. Downsizing the JSDF would only encourage these countries to increase their aggressiveness, knowing that Japan will be unable to respond appropriately. Japan needs to maintain the size of the JSDF while improving its capabilities and hardware.

The US should gradually pull its forces out of Japan

I don't disagree with this, but Japan needs to have enough SDF troops to fill the power vacuum that would be left by America pulling out. Having US forces in Japan acts as a deterrent against China, North Korea and Russia since those forces would be able to make a rapid response to any hostilities. The JSDF would need to be just as effective as deterring hostilities in time for a hypothetical withdrawal of US forces.

@PeepingTom: Please keep the EU Referendum and Remain Campaign misinformation out of this discussion. It is off topic as much as it is misleading. The article is about Britain and Japan engaging in a joint military exercise, the first of many (hopefully). The EU and the Referendum are not mentioned even once outside of the comments.

The Royal Navy would also have a lot to teach, especially now that Japan has its own commando unit somewhat similar to the US Navy SEALS. 

Ever since the Meiji restoration, Japan has placed great emphasis on naval power. Modeling their naval forces on the British model right down to the curry and lemons was a major factor in defeating the Russian Baltic fleet. If I remember correctly, Japan didn’t yet have the capabilities to build cruiser class battleships, so they bought British ships.

@seanwd20

Really?

Now that is an interesting choice.

Thanks.

This is clearly aimed at China, no doubt!

Very obvious, duh!

Two former colonizers , the UK and Japan joining forces to prepare for another 'Opium War' and 'Nanjing Massacre ' respectively!

"Invaders", if you don't mind that I correct you. By your logic:? China and Russia should prepare for the "Bombing of Tokyo" and "Nuclear attack of Hiroshima and Nagasaki" to prevent future evil fascist movements like that of Prime minister Abe is urgently preparing for?

If President Xi doesn't get this clear message which is in tandem with the American ships sailin within a mile off those new islands then the encirclement will happen sooner than later.

So what, what message? President Trump tried to send China message by instigating trade war, and where is it at now? Let along the incapable Prime minister Abe.

Tokyo and London should repeat such exercises in fellow democracy and ally ROC-TW which incidentally is the one and only genuinely most Nippon-friendly nation on the universe.

If so, China and Russia should liberate the innocent island of Ryukyu and Hokaido. Just like the way it is before the Yamato took it from the Ainu and Ryukans which one is pro-Sino and another is Russo-origin.

Yet decent Japanese wonder why PM Abe still adamantly refuses to re-establish diplomatic relations with the very friendly neighbor in favor of a very unfriendly one! Is Abe encouraging Nippon to abandon the much fabled Bushido Spirit heritage in favor of Hollywood morals and ethics?

I know right, I still could not understand why China would not support the human right campaigns of poor neighbor of Ryukyu... The Japanese mainland is always so hostile throughout the last two centuries. Too much for so-called "Bullshido" and "ethic" that consisted of nothing but sneak attack and invasions.

Especially with China still rattling sabres 

Rattling sabre towards a growling wolf, yes! Especially can you name any event which China has been tried on "International court" for invasive genocide, like that of Japan's. Nice effort in attempt to portray China as an aggressor to give merit to your excuse of remilitarization of Japan.

In reality these three so-called powerful democracies teamed-up to isolate fellow democracy ROC-TW in favor of (Guess who?) authoritarian Beijing!

What a charade these sneaky so-called stalwarts of democracy are playin!

Why is Japan acting like it is a "true democratic" nation when its freedom of press ranked below Tanzania's... Authoritarian fared no better, he must remember that the nation itself also does not recognize Taiwan in the U.N. just like the U.S.. We should focus on neutral nations such as Ryukyu before we even talk about Taiwan and etc. I'm glad that Kuril Islands are in the hands of democatic nation of the Russian Federation!

You really should tone down your voice, especially when you're calling the kettle black!

@ Fox Sora Winters

Lets hope so. Because British military was a joke when they faced Japan in ww2, they were weaker than the Chinese.