UK and Japan reach new defense deal amid Russia concerns

LONDON (AP) — Britain and Japan have unveiled a new defense agreement against the backdrop of the war in Ukraine. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson made the announcement during talks on Thursday with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in London. Johnson noted the “strong stance” Japan has taken “against the Russian aggression in Ukraine” and he drew a parallel with the security situation in Asia. The two men inspected a military honor guard and watched a Royal Air Force flypast on Kishida’s first official visit to the U.K. as prime minister. The U.K. governmentsays the military agreement will allow Japanese and British forces to deploy together for training and disaster relief activities.