A senior British General has said Japan "will not have to fight alone" as tensions over North Korea mount.

Lt Gen Patrick Sanders said Japan was one of Britain's most important strategic partners in the Asia-Pacific region and stressed the country was ready to help resist "any change in the status quo [in the region] by force".

Tension in the region has mounted considerably in recent months as North Korea has continued efforts to achieve nuclear power status.

Similarly China has continued the controversial build-up of military force on disputed islands in the South China Sea. Last month HMS Albion was challenged by the Chinese Navy as she exercised freedom of navigation through the area.

Speaking as British troops have begun exercising on Japanese soil for the first time in an historic effort to cement the strategic partnership, Lt Gen Sanders sought to build on the goodwill generated by the recent visit of the Royal Navy to Japan.