Japan and Britain are considering signing a bilateral status-of-forces agreement in a bid to beef up joint drills between Japan's Self-Defense Forces (SDF) and British military, sources familiar with the issue said.
By signing an accord, the Japanese and British governments will aim to clarify legal procedures for dealing with crimes and accidents in which SDF and British forces' personnel are involved while in the other country's territory and facilitate troop operations.
Tokyo and London will go ahead with work toward signing a bilateral status-of-forces pact at an early date at a so-called "two-plus-two" meeting between foreign and defense ministers to be held in Britain as early as this year.
At a joint news conference following a summit meeting between Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his British counterpart Theresa May on Aug. 31, the two leaders released a joint declaration on security cooperation.
"Britain is an important player in security in the Asia-Pacific region. Our two countries will work more closely in joint drills, defense equipment, technological cooperation and assistance in capacity building efforts," Abe said.
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