Shinzo Abe visits Britain to firm up security ties

TWICKENHAM STADIUM in south-west London, home to the sport of rugby union, is not usually a hub of diplomatic activity. But as we went to press on January 10th Theresa May was due to host her Japanese counterpart, Shinzo Abe, for a security briefing at the stadium. Britain’s security minister, its top police officer and its cyber-security chief were to advise Mr Abe on how to prepare for this year’s Rugby World Cup and next year’s Olympic and Paralympic games, which Japan will host.

Mr Abe was probably too tactful to raise the issue of drones, which tormented Gatwick airport in December and briefly halted flights at Heathrow on January 8th. But he will have been grateful for the tips on batting away terrorist and cyber attacks. The event reflects a deepening Anglo-Japanese partnership on security and defence, with Japan eager to pull Britain into an increasingly turbulent Asia and Britain keen to firm up its...