Ambassador Suzuki: I will spare no effort to nurture Japan-UK relationship

On the 81st anniversary of VJ Day, Japanese Ambassador to the UK Hiroshi Suzuki expressed his unwavering commitment to strengthening the bond between Japan and the UK. Since the end of World War II, Japan has consistently strived for peace and stability, both domestically and internationally. Reconciliation efforts with the UK have been ongoing, and today, their relationship is built upon mutual trust and cooperation.

The ambassador highlighted the importance of not forgetting the devastating impact of the war, especially in light of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Japan has shown solidarity with the UK and the European Union by providing £14.5 billion in aid to Ukraine, including humanitarian assistance, healthcare, food, and reconstruction efforts. The ambassador commended the UK and Europe for their leadership in supporting Ukraine and pledged continued collaboration.

One notable initiative is the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), a joint effort between Japan, the UK, and Italy to develop the next generation combat air system. This program not only aims to strengthen security in the Indo-Pacific, Europe, and the Atlantic but also serves as a model for cross-regional cooperation. The software and hardware platform is designed to be highly flexible, allowing for the addition of new features to meet the specific needs of each participating nation, including the United States.

The ambassador expressed confidence in the program's potential to generate long-term benefits, such as increased domestic employment, industrial development, and technological progress in each country. The GCAP International Government Organisation (GIGO) signed a £4.6 billion contract with Edgewing, the joint venture established by the three countries, on July 3rd.

The ambassador lauded the UK's recent Defence Investment Plan, which allocated £8.6 billion over the next four years, and emphasized the importance of delivering on the timeline for deploying the first fighter aircraft by 2035.

Recent meetings between the Japanese Defence Minister Koizumi and the UK government further underscored the strong ties between the two nations through GCAP. Additionally, Japan and the UK have explored opportunities for further collaboration beyond GCAP, including economic security and frontier technology. With the UK set to host the G20 in 2023 and the G7 in 2028, the ambassador expressed optimism about the continued advancements in Japan-UK cooperation under the new administration led by Prime Minister Burnham, vowing to spare no effort in nurturing the relationship.