Japan, Britain agree to strengthen security ties

TOKYO - Japan and Britain on Wednesday agreed here to promote bilateral cooperation in security-related areas such as maritime and cybersecurity and anti-terrorism measures, said Japanese foreign minister.

Fumio Kishida, Japan's top diplomat, said in a press conference after his meeting with his British counterpart William Hague that the two countries also agreed to improve policy coordination and intelligence sharing in the regions such as the Middle East, North Africa and Southeast Asia.

He added both sides planned to hold bilateral working-level meeting on the topic at an early date, adding he briefed Hague about Japan's plan to set a US-style National Security Council (NSC).

For his part, Hague said that his country welcomes a more active role by Japan in the issues related to international peace and stability, saying Britain looks forward to sharing experience in setting the NSC.

The two foreign chiefs also confirmed to jointly develop defense equipment as the two countries signed an agreement in July to promote joint development of defense equipment.

The Japanese government last Sunday allowed the export of Japan-made engine parts adopted by Self-Defense Forces ships to the British Navy, saying it would not go against Japan's long-standing arms embargo.

It said the components have been used by the private sector and are not necessarily treated as weapons, but the move was questioned that it goes against Japan's "three principles" on arms exports introduced in 1967 and tightened into a virtual blanket ban in 1976.