[citation needed] This alliance marked the end of Britain's 'splendid isolation' since 1815, while, for Japan, it brought much-needed British support ahead of the looming Russo-Japanese War.

[citation needed] Relations deteriorated rapidly during the 1930s due to the Japanese invasion of Manchuria, and the cutoff of oil supplies in 1941 further escalated tensions.

The two nations are also collaborating in the field of defence, most notably through the GCAP programme, the joint development of the next-generation fighter jet alongside Italy.

Usually the family name comes first in regards to Japanese historical figures, but in modern times not so for the likes of Kazuo Ishiguro and Katsuhiko Oku, both well known in the United Kingdom.

[67] Cricket was present in Japan's foreign settlements, played by both British and American expatriates, until baseball grew in popularity by the early 20th century.