UK Carrier Strike Group visit to Tokyo underlines UK-Japan Strategic Partnership and Indo-Pacific commitment
Source: gov.uk (2025-08-06)

HMS Prince of Wales, flagship of the UK Carrier Strike Group (CSG), will make a port call to Tokyo from late August to early September as part of Operation HIGHMAST, the Royal Navy's eight-month deployment to the Indo-Pacific region, including Japan.

The deployment reinforces the UK’s commitment to the Indo-Pacific as outlined in the government’s Plan for Change, supporting the mission to keep Britain secure at home and strong abroad while fostering the international partnerships essential for economic growth and national security.

The visit of CSG to Japan , symbolises the close alignment of strategic interests and values shared between the UK and Japan, and representing an opportunity to deepen UK-Japan defence cooperation, enhance interoperability through joint activities, and engage in dialogue on regional challenges.

The deployment also embodies the deepening partnership between the UK and Japan, demonstrating the unprecedented cooperation established through our enhanced global strategic partnership, including the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA), and the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP).

Strategic partnership in action

As each other’s closest security partners in Europe and Asia respectively, the UK and Japan share fundamental values and face common challenges. The CSG visit to Japan, and in particular the port visit to Tokyo by HMS Prince of Wales, marks a significant milestone in the multi-layered cooperation spanning politics, defence, economy, and culture that defines the modern UK-Japan relationship.

British Ambassador to Japan Julia Longbottom said:

The visit of HMS Prince of Wales to Tokyo underlines the UK’s strong commitment to a secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific, while showcasing the remarkable depth of our partnership with Japan. Together, as trusted allies, we are strengthening cooperation across defence, economy, and culture. This visit demonstrates our joint determination to safeguard regional stability, and our shared ambition to deliver innovation, prosperity, and a sustainable future for the next generation.

Multi-day programme of engagement

The Tokyo port visit will feature a programme of events taking place over multiple days, designed to strengthen bilateral cooperation and regional partnerships. Key events will include the prestigious Pacific Future Forum (https://www.pacificfutureforum.com/), bringing together defence, security and industry leaders from across the region to discuss shared security challenges, from future technology to economic security.

A Defence & Security Industry Day will showcase British defence capabilities and innovation, providing opportunities for UK companies to demonstrate world-leading technologies and explore new partnerships with Japanese counterparts across advanced sectors including space, cyber and emerging technologies.

Global deployment of unprecedented scale

Operation HIGHMAST represents the most ambitious UK naval deployment in a generation, involving nearly 4,000 British personnel across the Royal Navy (2,500), Royal Air Force (592), and British Army (900). The eight-month deployment will cover over 26,000 nautical miles, visiting more than 40 countries and undertaking over 70 engagements, exercises and operations.

The deployment showcases true international partnership, with 12 nations supporting the CSG with ships or personnel. Norway is providing a warship for the entire duration of the deployment, whilst Canada, Spain, and New Zealand have also contributed vessels, demonstrating that the security of the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific regions is fundamentally indivisible.

Showcasing British innovation and creativity

HMS Prince of Wales exemplifies the UK’s world-leading naval engineering and integrated operational capabilities, demonstrating advanced military readiness and technological superiority. The carrier uniquely combines cutting-edge technology with traditional British maritime expertise, representing the very best of UK innovation.

With up to 24 F-35B Lightning II fighter jets embarked, in squadrons from both the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force, HMS Prince of Wales showcases the largest concentration of fifth-generation aircraft ever deployed by the Royal Navy. These advanced systems demonstrate UK defence innovation whilst laying the groundwork for future UK-Japan joint development projects, including the groundbreaking GCAP programme – a joint initiative between the UK, Japan and Italy to develop a next generation fighter jet.

The UK’s industrial strategy drives not just security but high-value job creation, innovation, and economic growth across both nations. UK-Japan defence industry cooperation continues to strengthen both countries’ competitiveness in aerospace, cyber, and technology, with applications for solving global challenges that matter to people in both countries.

Creative cooperation between our nations delivers mutual benefits, with the CSG visit expanding industrial and technological partnerships that will drive innovation for decades to come.

Guardians of maritime security and global challenges

The UK’s CSG deployment to Japan demonstrates concrete action toward realising a free and open Indo-Pacific and our unwavering commitment to regional stability. As maritime nations, the UK and Japan will continue to fulfil their vital responsibility as guardians of the maritime rules-based order, ensuring the freedom and safety of the seas for all nations.

The CSG’s presence reinforces both countries’ shared approaches to complex security challenges, including maritime security, cyber threats, and the safe development of emerging technologies. This collaborative approach addresses the security concerns that affect our people’s prosperity and future.

The UK Foreign and Defence Secretaries recently visited Australia to observe Exercise Talisman Sabre, the largest-ever military exercise Australia has hosted, involving the CSG and 3,000 UK personnel. As part of the exercise, the AUKUS nations successfully worked alongside Japan to strengthen collaboration on the defence use of robotics and autonomous technologies.

Boosting UK trade and economic growth

The deployment directly supports the government’s Plan for Change through economic growth opportunities. Port visits in Singapore, Indonesia, Japan, and the Republic of Korea will showcase British defence capabilities through trade demonstrations and fairs, supporting UK exports and international trade.

The Indo-Pacific is a critical region for UK trade, with the region accounting for 17% of total UK trade - worth £286 billion in goods and services in the 12 months to September 2024. The deployment provides opportunities for UK companies to participate in trade events during port visits, delivering British jobs and growth whilst building on the strong foundation established through the bilateral UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), and the multilateral Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

Building a sustainable connection for the future

Alongside partnership between our governments and militaries, UK engagement with Japan spans civil society, business, culture, academia, and people-to-people links.. This comprehensive connection between our countries means that together, we can tackle the global challenges that both Japanese and British people care about, from environmental sustainability to technological security. The UK is committed to investing in this connection, and the many links between our countries that bring it to life, now and for future generations. The visit of CSG to Japan, and HMS Prince of Wales to Tokyo, will be an unforgettable moment in our partnership.

Further details of specific programmes and venues will be announced in due course.

Notes to editors:

Operation HIGHMAST involves nearly 4,000 British personnel across the Royal Navy (2,500), Royal Air Force (592), and British Army (900)

Exercise Talisman Sabre involved 3,000 UK personnel

The deployment includes 12 international partners contributing ships or personnel, including Norway, Canada, Spain, and New Zealand

The CSG will cover over 26,000 nautical miles and visit more than 40 countries over eight months

This follows the successful 2021 deployment of HMS Queen Elizabeth, which travelled 26,000 nautical miles and engaged with 40 nations

The deployment supports the government’s commitment to increase defence spending to 2.6% of GDP

This follows the establishment of GCAP headquarters in Reading and continued progress on the trilateral fighter programme between the UK, Japan, and Italy

Trade between the UK and Indo-Pacific region accounts for 17% of total UK trade, worth £286 billion annually

Japan is the UK’s 15th largest trading partner. Total UK exports to Japan amounted to £14.7 billion in the four quarters to the end of Q3 2024, whilst UK imports from Japan totalled £12.4 billion over the same period.

The strong economic partnership is further evidenced by Japan’s record £17.7 billion investment commitment into the UK during the Japan G7, spanning sectors including green energy, offshore wind, real estate and quantum technology. The UK was the number two destination for Japanese investment in 2023, highlighting the mutual confidence in our economic relationship.

Access restrictions will be implemented at the port terminal during the port visit.

Sources:

Royal Navy aircraft carrier in final preparation to lead multinational deployment to Mediterranean and Indo-Pacific (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/royal-navy-aircraft-carrier-in-final-preparation-to-lead-multinational-deployment-to-mediterranean-and-indo-pacific), 8 April 2025

UK Carrier Strike Group contributes to Exercise Talisman Sabre (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-carrier-strike-group-contributes-to-exercise-talisman-sabre), 22 July 2025

Boost to UK defence and trade as Carrier Strike Group arrives in the Indo-Pacific (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/boost-to-uk-defence-and-trade-as-carrier-strike-group-arrives-in-the-indo-pacific), 17 June 2025

Norway to join UK Navy deployment to Indo-Pacific next year (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/norway-to-join-uk-navy-deployment-to-indo-pacific-next-year), 6 August 2024

Global Combat Air Programme Joint Statement (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/global-combat-air-programme-joint-statement-7-july-2025): 7 July 2025:

UK-Japan military exercise starts today as Defence Ministers discuss closer cooperation (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-japan-military-exercise-starts-today-as-defence-ministers-discuss-closer-cooperation), 16 January 2025

Pacific Future Forum 2025 (https://www.pacificfutureforum.com/)