Japan says security ties with the UK at 'a new level' as aircraft carrier arrives in Tokyo

TOKYO (AP) — Defense ministers from Japan and Britain hailed their “deep strategic alignment” on Thursday as a Royal Navy aircraft carrier made its first port call in Tokyo.

The HMS Prince of Wales, which heads a 12-nation carrier strike group of 4,000 servicemembers on an eight-month deployment in the region, is the first foreign aircraft carrier to visit the city, U.K. Defense Secretary John Healey told a joint news conference.

“We are proud to be taking our air and our naval cooperation now to new levels,” Healey said after holding talks at Japan’s Defense Ministry with his counterpart, Gen Nakatani.

The strategic cooperation with Japan is part of the U.K.'s commitment to be more engaged in the economy and security in the Indo-Pacific.

“Japan and the U.K. are the closest security partners in Asia and Europe and we have steadily enhanced cooperation,” Nakatani said. “I'm extremely happy to share this historic moment when Japan-U.K. defense cooperation has reached a new level."

The two countries are involved in the development of a fighter jet for deployment by 2035 in a trilateral cooperation known as the Global Combat Air Program that also includes Italy.

In a joint statement, the two ministers reaffirmed their commitment to accelerating work to conclude the signing of the first international contract for the project by the end of the year.

They said the project will help sustain national airspace sectors, maximize emerging technologies to meet any future threats and protect critical industries.

Japan has been seeking to expand its security ties beyond its traditional ally, the United States, to step up deterrence against China's growing assertiveness in the region.

During recent multinational naval exercises, a British F-35B fighter jet landed for the first time on the deck of the JS Kaga, one of two Japanese aircraft carriers that are essential to the country’s ongoing military build up.

Associated Press video journalist Ayaka McGill contributed to this report.

Crews walk near the Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales before its port call in Tokyo Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

Japan's Defense Minister Gen Nakatani, left, delivers a speech as Britain's Secretary of State for Defence John Healey attends a welcome ceremony for the Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales during its port call in Tokyo Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

Guests and crews of the Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales pose for a group photo during its port call in Tokyo Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

A journalist walks near the Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales before its port call in Tokyo Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

The Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales is seen during its port call in Tokyo Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — John Marino scored at 4:03 of the third period to break a tie and give the Utah Mammoth a 2-1 victory over the Dallas Stars on Thursday night.

Marino also assisted on Nick Schmaltz's 17th goal of the season and Karel Vejmelka made 26 stops as the Mammoth won for the fifth time in six games.

Mikko Rantanen scored and Jake Oettinger had 25 saves for Dallas, which has lost nine of its last 11 games.

Schmaltz broke a scoreless deadlock with 7 seconds left in the second period, tipping in a feed from Marino. It was the fourth latest goal in any regulation period in Utah's short franchise history.

The Mammoth nearly made it 2-0 just 38 seconds into the third, but Lawson Crouse had his goal wiped off the board for high-sticking.

Rantanen leveled the score with a power-play goal at the 2:04 of the third.

Marino answered two minutes later, snapping the puck home from long distance to put the Mammoth up 2-1 with his second winning goal of the season.

Utah improved to 16-1-1 this season when leading after two periods.

Stars: host Tampa Bay on Sunday.

Mammoth: host Seattle on Saturday.

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

Dallas Stars defenseman Kyle Capobianco, right, moves the puck against Utah Mammoth defenseman Sean Durzi during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Melissa Majchrzak)

Dallas Stars defenseman Thomas Harley (55) shoots the puck against Utah Mammoth goaltender Karel Vejmelka (70) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Melissa Majchrzak)

Dallas Stars center Wyatt Johnston, right, moves the puck against Utah Mammoth left wing Lawson Crouse during the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Melissa Majchrzak)

Dallas Stars left wing Jason Robertson, center left, fights for the puck against Utah Mammoth defenseman John Marino (6) during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Melissa Majchrzak)