The Japanese Defence Minister, Nakatani Gen, has issued a stark warning against what he described as China's 'unprecedented and rapid' military build-up, labelling it a 'huge arsenal' that threatens regional stability. His comments came during a joint press conference with UK Defence Secretary John Healey in Tokyo, where the two nations announced a significant expansion of British naval operations in the Indo-Pacific.
The UK will deploy a Carrier Strike Group led by HMS Queen Elizabeth to the region by 2025, alongside a permanent presence of offshore patrol vessels. This marks the most substantial British naval commitment east of Suez since the 1970s. Healey stated that the deployment is 'not about confrontation but about upholding the rules-based international order'.
Nakatani was more direct. 'China's military modernisation, its lack of transparency, and its assertive actions in the East China Sea and South China Sea are grave concerns for the international community,' he said. 'We are witnessing a shift in the balance of power that requires collective responses.'
The rhetoric reflects a broader trend of converging security interests between Tokyo and London. Both nations share anxieties over Beijing's territorial claims and its expanding nuclear arsenal, which is expected to reach 1,000 warheads by 2030. The UK's Integrated Review of Security in 2021 explicitly identified the Indo-Pacific as a region of growing importance, and this deployment is its most tangible commitment to date.
China's foreign ministry responded by accusing Japan and the UK of 'stoking regional tensions' and 'forming exclusive blocs'. Spokesperson Mao Ning warned that such actions would 'undermine mutual trust and lead to a spiral of confrontation'. She reiterated Beijing's claim that its military development is defensive in nature and that its territorial disputes should be resolved bilaterally.
Analysts note the timing is significant. The deployment coincides with increased Chinese naval activity around Taiwan and Japan's Senkaku Islands (Diaoyu in Chinese). In the past year, Chinese vessels have entered Japan's contiguous zone on 33 occasions, up from 21 in 2022. The UK's presence provides material and symbolic support for Japan's position, though it risks drawing Britain into potential flashpoints.
'This is a calculated move,' said Dr. Sarah Raine, a geopolitical analyst at the International Institute for Strategic Studies. 'The UK is signalling that it will not cede the Pacific to China. But the question remains: will the British public tolerate a long-term entanglement in Asia?'
The defence chiefs also discussed joint exercises, technology sharing, and cooperation on cybersecurity and artificial intelligence. Both nations expressed interest in Australia's AUKUS submarine programme, though no formal agreements were announced.
For Japan, the alliance with the UK offers a hedge against an unpredictable US commitment. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has pursued a more proactive defence posture, including plans to double defence spending to 2% of GDP by 2027. The UK's return to the region provides credibility for Japan's shift from a purely self-defence force to one capable of power projection.
However, the move is not without critics. Some regional observers warn that reinforcing military alliances could provoke a destructive security dilemma. Thanh Ha, a professor of international relations at Vietnam National University, noted: 'China perceives these encirclements as existential threats. The result is a cycle of escalation that benefits no one.'
The UK's deployment is expected to face logistical challenges. The Royal Navy's fleet has shrunk by 40% since 1990, and maintaining a continuous presence will strain resources. Yet the government in London appears committed. As Healey put it: 'We cannot choose between being European and being Indo-Pacific. Our strategic interests are global.'
The coming months will test whether this rhetoric translates into enduring commitment or remains a symbolic gesture. One thing is certain: the Pacific is no longer a theatre solely for US-China rivalry. The United Kingdom is back, and Japan is ready to welcome it.
