An Essex MP took part in a special ceremony to mark increased military cooperation between Britain and Japan. Former Armed Forces Minister, Mark Francois, participated in a ceremony on board the Japanese naval training ship, JS Kashima, to mark Japanese Armed Forces Day, when the vessel paid a courtesy visit to the Pool of London and was moored alongside WWII cruiser, HMS Belfast.
The ceremony was also attended by Britain’s First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Ben Key. As part of the event, Rayleigh and Wickford’s MP participated in the Japanese ceremony of “Kagami Biraki”, which involves piercing the lid of a barrel of saki (Japanese rice wine) for other guests to enjoy.
This involved Mark joining a team of guests in donning traditional Japanese dress (happi) and breaching the lid with ceremonial hammers.
Speaking about the event, Mark said:
“In twenty three years as an MP this was a definite first. It was a privilege to take part in this ceremony, to mark our increasing naval co-operation with Japan, in helping to keep international sea lanes open in the Asian-Pacific region. As so much of our trade still goes by sea, these alliances are ever more important.”
