TOKYO, (Reuters) – Britain and Japan said on Tuesday they have agreed to jointly develop and build defence equipment, the first time since World War Two that Japan has concluded a weapons-building deal with a country other than the United States.
The announcement came at the start of a tour of Japan and southeast Asia by British Prime Minister David Cameron aimed at boosting trade ties with the region.
“We have decided to identify a range of appropriate defence equipment for joint development and production … which contributes to both countries’ security and presents industrial opportunities,” said a statement from Cameron and Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda.
Without elaborating, the leaders agreed to “seek to launch at least one programme of such defence equipment as soon as possible and explore the feasibility of a future major programme”. Japanese defence policy changed last December to allow Japanese companies to export weapons and collaborate with countries other than its main ally, the United States.
Hours before Cameron’s plane touched down in Tokyo, Japanese carmaker Nissan Motor Co said it would spend $200 million to build a new hatchback at its British plant.
