Typhoon Cimaron forces Britain and Japan to cancel historic military drill
The drill was to include Japan’s controversial amphibious brigade, which was formed to counter any threats against islands along edge of East China Sea that Tokyo worries could be vulnerable to attack by China
Typhoon Cimaron, which is heading north from the western Pacific, is expected to bring strong winds and rain to Japan over the next few days.
Typhoons Soulik and Cimaron approach western Japan bringing high waves, strong winds
The cancellation was announced by Britain’s embassy in Japan and the defence ministry in Tokyo.
The Albion has operated in and around Japanese waters for several weeks, including patrols to help enforce UN sanctions on North Korea, as Britain seeks to bolster defence ties with Japan as it prepares to exit the European Union.
London is eager for a presence in a region that is driving global economic growth, while Tokyo wants to nurture defence ties beyond its traditional ally, the United States, as it contends with China’s growing military.
A Japanese destroyer and helicopters had also been assigned to the exercise in addition to the participation of Japan’s first marine unit since the second world war, the Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade.
A chance for China and Japan to strengthen ties
Activated in April, the 1,500-strong force backed up by helicopter carriers, amphibious ships, Osprey tilt-rotor troop carriers and amphibious assault vehicles was formed to counter any threats against islands along the edge of the East China Sea that Tokyo worries could be vulnerable to attack by China.
However, its existence is controversial because critics warn amphibious units could theoretically be used against Japan’s neighbours in breach of a post-second world war constitution that renounces the right to wage war.
