British Aircraft Carrier Strike Group Visits Tokyo

The British Royal Navy flagship HMS Prince of Wales called at Tokyo Bay on August 28. With a displacement of about 65,000 tons and a length of 280 meters, HMS Prince of Wales is one of the largest and most advanced ships in the Royal Navy’s history. It can carry up to 36 F-35B Lightning II fighter jets and the full range of helicopters in UK service and can accommodate a crew of 1,600.

Representing cutting-edge innovation in the UK defense sector, the group’s visit to Japan symbolizes the UK’s continued engagement in the Indo-Pacific region and deepening cooperation with Japan. The visit also reflects the UK-Japan strategic business partnership in security, advanced technology and economic resilience, according to Greg Gardner, Director of Trade and UK Investment, and Minister-Counsellor for Northeast Asia Regional Trade.

A variety of events focusing on economic security and strengthening business ties will be held during the Tokyo port visit.

“Japan and the UK have been steadily enhancing cooperation as each other’s closest security partners in Asia and Europe,” Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani said at a press conference.

This deployment reaffirms the UK’s commitment to peace, security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region, as outlined in the UK government’s Plan for Change, and aims to support the UK’s mission to stay safe at home and internationally strong, as well as strengthen international partnerships that are essential to economic growth and national security. 

A press release said: “The Carrier Strike Group’s (CSG) port visit provides an opportunity to deepen UK-Japan defence cooperation, improve interoperability through joint activities and promote dialogue on regional challenges. This deployment embodies the deepening partnership between Japan and the UK and demonstrates the unprecedented cooperation forged through our strengthened Global Strategic Partnership, which includes the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), the Ratification Agreement (RAA) and the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP).” 

Strategic partnership in practice 

As the closest security partners in Europe and Asia, the UK and Japan share fundamental values ​​and face common challenges. The CSG’s visit to Japan, and in particular the call of HMS Prince of Wales in Tokyo, marks an important milestone in the modern-day UK-Japan relationship, a multi-layered partnership spanning politics, defence, economics and culture. 

Multi-day exchange program 

The Tokyo port call will feature a multi-day programme of events strengthening bilateral cooperation and regional partnerships. Key events include the Pacific Future Forum, which will bring together leaders from defence, security and industry to discuss security challenges such as advanced technologies and economic security. The Defence and Security Industry Day (DSID) will showcase UK defence capabilities and innovation, and provide an opportunity for UK companies to showcase their world-leading technologies. The event will also explore new possibilities for collaboration between the UK and Japan in areas including space, cyber and advanced technology. 

British Ambassador to Japan Julia Longbottom said: “HMS Prince of Wales’ visit to Tokyo underscores the UK’s strong commitment to supporting a secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific region and symbolizes the depth of our partnership with Japan. As trusted allies, we are strengthening our cooperation in the areas of defence, economy and culture. This visit demonstrates our joint determination to safeguard regional stability and our willingness to work together towards a future of innovation, prosperity and sustainability for generations to come.” 

Unprecedented global expansion 

Operation Highmast is the UK’s largest-ever maritime deployment, involving about 4,000 personnel from the Royal Navy (2,500), Air Force (592) and Army (900). Over eight months, they will travel more than 26,000 nautical miles, visit more than 40 countries and conduct more than 70 exchanges, exercises and operations. 12 countries support the CSG with ships or personnel. Norway is providing ships for the entire deployment, and Canada, Spain and New Zealand are also contributing vessels, making this deployment a true international partnership. 

Unleashing UK innovation and creativity 

HMS Prince of Wales embodies the UK’s world-leading naval technology and integrated operational capabilities, demonstrating a high level of military readiness and technological superiority. The ship combines cutting-edge technology with traditional British maritime expertise, encapsulating British innovation. Carrying up to 24 F-35B Lightning II fighter jets from both the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force, HMS Prince of Wales represents the Royal Navy’s largest concentration of fifth-generation aircraft ever deployed. These systems showcase UK innovation in defense technology and serve as a foundation for future UK-Japan joint development projects. The UK’s industrial strategy promotes not only security but also high-value job creation, innovation and economic growth in both countries. UK-Japan defense industrial cooperation strengthens both countries’ competitiveness in aerospace, cyber and technology, helping to advance applications that address global challenges. 

Guardian of maritime security and global issues 

The deployment of the CSG to Japan is a concrete step toward realizing a free and open Indo-Pacific and demonstrates the UK’s unwavering commitment to regional stability. As maritime nations, Japan and the UK share a responsibility to uphold a rules-based order at sea, ensuring freedom and safety of navigation for all. The CSG’s port visit strengthens our collaboration on complex security challenges, including maritime security, cyber threats and the safe development of emerging technologies. This cooperative approach addresses security concerns related to the prosperity and future of both our peoples. Last month, the UK Government’s Secretary of State for Foreign and International Development and Secretary of State for Defence visited Australia to inspect Talisman Sabre, the largest Australian-hosted military exercise in history. The CSG and 3,000 UK personnel participated in the exercise. AUKUS countries—along with Japan—have strengthened cooperation in the defense applications of robotics and autonomous technologies. 

Promoting UK trade and economic growth 

This deployment will further advance the UK government’s Modern Industrial Strategy and create opportunities for economic growth. Port calls in Singapore, Indonesia, Japan and South Korea will showcase UK defense capabilities through trade demonstrations and exhibitions, boosting UK exports and international trade. The Indo-Pacific region is a key market, accounting for 17% of UK trade, with £286 billion in goods and services exchanged in the 12-month period ending in September 2024. This deployment will lay the foundation for promoting trade, economic growth and job creation for UK companies under CEPA and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). 

Building a sustainable, future-oriented partnership 

In addition to government-to-government and military-to-military partnerships, the UK’s relationship with Japan also extends to civil society, business, culture, academia and people-to-people exchanges. This comprehensive link enables us to work together on global challenges that concern UK and Japanese peoples. The UK is committed to investing in this link and the diverse relationships that strengthen it, now and for future generations. 

The CSG’s visit to Japan and HMS Prince of Wales’ port call in Tokyo will be an unforgettable moment in the UK-Japan partnership. 

• Operation Highmast will involve about 4,000 troops from the Royal Navy (2,500), Royal Air Force (592) and British Army (900). 
• Exercise Talisman Sabre involved 3,000 British personnel. 
• 12 countries—including Norway, Canada, Spain and New Zealand—are contributing ships and personnel to the deployment. 
• The CSG will travel more than 26,000 nautical miles over eight months and visit more than 40 countries, following the deployment of the aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth in 2021 (26,000 nautical miles, 40 countries). 
• The UK government plans to increase defense spending to 2.6% of GDP. 
• The GCAP headquarters is located in Reading, and a joint GCAP between Japan, the UK and Italy is currently underway. 
• UK trade with the Indo-Pacific region accounts for 17% of the UK’s total trade, or £286 billion per year. 
• Japan is the UK’s 15th largest trading partner, with UK exports to Japan totalling £1.47 billion and Japanese imports to the UK totalling £1.24 billion in the year to the third quarter of 2024. 
• Japanese investment in the UK in 2023 is set to reach a record high of £17.7 billion, covering a wide range of sectors including green energy, offshore wind, real estate and quantum technology. The UK is the second most popular investment destination for Japanese companies in 2023. 
• During the port call, access restrictions will be in place at the terminals where the ship will be calling.