HMS Prince of Wales arrives in Tokyo for historic visit to overlap with Defence Secretary's visit

Royal Navy flagship HMS Prince of Wales has arrived in Tokyo for a historic visit to deepen bonds between Japan and the UK.

The vessel, which has led Carrier Strike Group 25 to Japan's capital for a major port stop, will host dignitaries, politicians and senior defence officials, and will also be open for public tours before hosting an international summit, the Pacific Future Forum.

The ship's arrival coincided with Defence Secretary John Healey holding bilateral talks and a joint press conference with his counterpart General Nakatani in the city.

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The 65,000-tonne aircraft carrier arrived in Tokyo with much fanfare, as sailors lined the flight deck and people waved to them from bridges and viewpoints.

Captain Will Blackett, HMS Prince of Wales' Commanding Officer, said it was a "huge privilege" to have the £3.5bn vessel make the port call following a period of maintenance for herself and her escort ships in Yokosuka.

"Before arriving [in] Japan, we exercised with the Japanese Maritime Self-Defence Force at sea," Capt Blackett said.

"It has been great to see what we can do together and our commitment to working with our partners in the Indo-Pacific region.

"Japan has been an incredible place to visit, our sailors have been so welcomed here and have explored all across the country."

Mr Healey, Gen Nakatani and First Sea Lord General Sir Gwyn Jenkins welcomed the ship when she entered the city.

Meanwhile, HMS Prince of Wales' company have enjoyed some rest in Yokosuka.

Those deployed reached the summit of Mount Fuji and explored nearby, including visits to Kamakura and Shibuya, along with sampling local food and cultural experiences.

The flagship will host the Pacific Future Forum while in the Japanese capital, bringing together defence, security, and industry leaders to discuss shared security challenges, including future technology.

There will also be a Defence and Security Industry Day that will show British defence capabilities and innovation.

After leaving Tokyo, HMS Prince of Wales will join up with her escorts, including HMS Richmond and RFA Tidespring, which are visiting Busan in South Korea.

The CSG25 deployment, also known as Operation Highmast, involves around 4,500 British military personnel, including nearly 600 RAF and 900 soldiers, alongside 2,500 Royal Navy sailors and Royal Marines.

The deployment highlights the UK's commitment to Indo-Pacific security and the rules-based international order.

For more reports about Carrier Strike Group 25, click here.