Japan, Britain, Italy defence ministers to meet in Tokyo this week

FILE PHOTO-Japanese Defence Minister Yasukazu Hamada speaks to reporters about North Korea's firing of ballistic missiles, in Tokyo, Japan in this photo taken by Kyodo November 3, 2022. Kyodo via REUTERS

TOKYO (Reuters) - Britain and Italy's defence chiefs will visit Japan this week to hold meetings with their local counterpart, Defence Minister Yasukazu Hamada, Japan said on Tuesday.

The three nations announced in December the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) venture to develop by 2035 a next-generation jet which would combine the British-led Tempest project with Japan's F-X programme.