Japan and France signed an important defence pact regarding the transfer of military equipment and technology. In last two years Japan had signed similar deals with Britain and Australia. The agreement with France encourages mutual defence cooperation by confirming that transferred technology and equipment will not be provided to a third country without the permission of the country of origin.
The two countries have agreed to work toward concluding an acquisition and cross-servicing agreement, which provides a framework for logistic cooperation between armed forces. Japan already has signed such agreement with the United States and Australia.
Japan is pushing to reform the United Nations Security Council as a member of the Group of Four nations along with Germany, Brazil and India.
France is one of the five permanent members of the council who have veto rights.
