Welcome to the Royal Naval Association Japan Branch
A Legacy of Naval Partnership
The Royal Naval Association Japan Branch continues a remarkable tradition of naval cooperation and friendship that spans more than 170 years. Formal diplomatic ties between Britain and Japan began with the treaty of 1854, marking the beginning of a relationship that would profoundly shape both nations' naval destinies. This partnership reached its zenith with the Anglo-Japanese Alliance of 1902-1923, which bound Britain and Japan to assist one another in safeguarding their respective interests in China and Korea, becoming the first alliance between a European country and an Asiatic power against a Western rival.
The alliance proved transformative for both navies, with Japan emerging as a formidable naval power while Britain gained a crucial strategic partner in the Far East. The Anglo-Japanese Alliance concluded in 1902 boosted Meiji Japan's prestige and power while helping contain Russian expansion in the Far East. During World War I, this cooperation deepened further, with both navies working together to secure vital sea lanes and protect Allied interests across the Pacific and beyond.
The RNA Japan Branch Today
Building on this rich heritage of naval cooperation, the Royal Naval Association Japan Branch serves as a vital link connecting past and present, bringing together those with naval stories to share in the spirit of companionship and mutual support.
Today, our thriving branch of over 30 members holds an annual AGM and enjoys many social events and ship visits throughout the year, maintaining the bonds of naval fellowship that have connected British and Japanese waters for generations. We maintain strong connections with the Royal British Legion (RBL) and Suikokai, the Japanese retired naval officers association, fostering continued cooperation between British and Japanese naval communities. Whether you served in the Royal Navy, other Commonwealth navies, or simply share our passion for naval heritage, you'll find a warm welcome among our diverse community in Japan.
RNA Japan members stand alongside the RBL & Suikokai Members August 28th 2025
The RNA Japan Branch upholds the Royal Naval Association's core mission of providing companionship, comradeship, and unity to everyone with a naval story, supporting our members through life's highs and lows while preserving the proud traditions that have made the relationship between British and Japanese naval communities so enduring and meaningful.
Links to our Friends
