The joint statement by the Anglo-Japanese ministers signaled that they would not accept Chinese adventurism in the South China Sea and would increase their presence in the region.

Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi and his two British counterparts, Dominic Raab and Ben Wallace, issued a joint statement on February 3 expressing deep concerns about the East Sea situation, opposing unilateral behavior.

"This is a clear message to our allies as well as China that Japan-UK will cooperate more closely in the post-Brexit period. Both Japan and Britain are allies of the US," said Carl Thayer, professor emeritus.

Greg Poling, director of the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in the US, said the joint statement was built on other recent signals, including

In September 2020, the three countries of Britain, France and Germany also sent a joint note to the United Nations, denying China's irrational claims in the South China Sea.

On January 19, Japan sent a note to the United Nations, declaring that it was against international law for China to unilaterally draw the baseline for an entity in the South China Sea.

Vice Admiral Yoji Koda, former commander of the Japan Self-Defense Forces's Self-Defense Fleet, said Tokyo holds a neutral stance on territorial disputes in the South China Sea.

Japan recently dispatched the destroyer to the South China Sea or across the area to reach the Middle East for anti-piracy and intelligence-gathering missions.

In addition, JMSDF sent a floating ship unit (2-3 destroyers) to the South China Sea and Indian Ocean to conduct international exercises with navies of several countries in the region, including

"Japan believes that the JMSDF's series of deployments in the South China Sea is a strong and clear signal to China, to express Tokyo's stance and determination not to accept Beijing's adventurism in China.

The Japanese deputy admiral also pointed out that Britain has been an "out of place" Asian country since withdrawing its troops east of the Suez Canal in 1971 and handing over Hong Kong to China in 1997. The British then maintained only the image.

However, Mr. Yoji said that Britain's military contribution to many security crises has been limited since Britain's withdrawal from the region.

However, recent decisive moves by China have changed London's view of Beijing.

Thayer commented that after Brexit, the Johnson administration wanted the UK to play a global role, prioritizing the Indo-Pacific region because of its trade importance and other economic linkages.

He has expressed interest in joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) as well as the Quad-Party Security Dialogue Forum (Quad) with the US, Japan, India and Australia.

According to Thayer, British warships will likely visit the area more frequently and practice with friendly coastal states.

In recent years, the British Navy has sent large warships through the South China Sea to demonstrate London's commitment to freedom of navigation.

"Britain will emphasize its national interests by sending the aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth, the largest and most powerful warship in service, to the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea.

"The recent statement between Japan and the UK builds on the new stance of the British government and clarifies the two countries' views towards China," said Mr. Yoji.

"I hope the UK-Japan will continue to seek ways to increase the pressure on China, in coordination with other like-minded countries, that will include moderate force deployment activities in the South China Sea.