日英、共同訓練を拡充　中国念頭、２プラス２で合意

　日英両政府は７日、東京都内で外務・防衛担当閣僚協議（２プラス２）を開いた。インド太平洋地域での中国の覇権主義的な動きを念頭に、安全保障協力の強化を確認。１０月発効の「円滑化協定」で自衛隊と英軍の往来手続きが緩和されたことを踏まえ、共同訓練の拡充を申し合わせた。
　日英２プラス２開催はテレビ会議形式だった２０２１年２月以来５回目。日本から上川陽子外相と木原稔防衛相、英国からクレバリー外相とシャップス国防相が出席した。
　協議後の共同記者発表で、木原氏は日英について「アジアと欧州における相互に最も緊密な安全保障上のパートナーだ」と述べ、関係深化の重要性を訴えた。クレバリー氏は「今のような不安定な時代には、強固な関係がこれまで以上に重要になる」と応じた。（2023/11/07-20:03）

The foreign and defense ministers of Japan and Britain agreed Tuesday to expand joint defense drills between the two countries, following the entry into force of a treaty to facilitate mutual visits by Japan's Self-Defense Forces and the British military.
   The agreement came at a so-called two-plus-two meeting in Tokyo attended by Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa and Defense Minister Minoru Kihara and their British counterparts, James Cleverly and Grant Shapps.
   The two sides also reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening security cooperation between the two countries, in light of China's hegemonic moves in the Indo-Pacific region.
   This was the fifth two-plus-two meeting between Japan and Britain. The previous one, in February 2021, was held online.
   In a joint press conference after the meeting, Kihara underscored the need to deepen Japan-Britain relations, saying that the two countries are the closest security partners in Asia and Europe.