I'd like to draw the forum's attention to a blog post that examines recent developments in Japan's security and defence relationships with European nations, UK and France in particular.

UK, France / Japan lead on Euro-Asia Security cooperation?
http://euroasiasecurityforum.com/2013/07/02/uk-france-j
apan-lead-on-euro-asia-security-cooperation/

I am asserting the following points, and I would be interested to hear views from this forum:
- Summits and agreements on defence cooperation with the UK and France offer evidence that Japan is diversifying its alliance options
- Europe-Asia security cooperation is rising alongside the US pivot, and the UK, France and Japan are leading the field.

Best regards,

Philip Shetler-Jones
Mobile: +32 (0) 4860 40441
http://about.me/philipshetlerjones