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To war with China? The UK-Japan axis for a global Nato
As the first European country to forge military links with Japan, Britain provides an example for other Nato members to follow, argues JENNY CLEGG
INTIMIDATING: Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth arrives back to Portsmouth harbour

WITH regional arms races and provocative military activities spiralling in east Asia, Nato chief Jens Stoltenburg’s recent visits to South Korea and Japan aimed to follow through on the organisation’s new commitment to addressing the “systemic competition” from China.  

What is taking place is a historic restructuring of the international security order: amid claims that “east Asia is the next Ukraine,” Japan is resuming its role as a military power while the US-Japan 70-year-old alliance is being upgraded as the US places a primary focus on the need to contain China.  

Britain is playing a vital role in leveraging this shift, building a new security co-operation with Japan which opens the door to international recognition of the country’s remilitarisation.

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