Britain and Japan have agreed to collaborate on defense-related projects, in Tokyo's first such deal outside of its alliance with the United States.

British Prime Minister David Cameron and his Japanese counterpart, Yoshihiko Noda, announced their agreement after meeting Tuesday in Tokyo.

The two leaders said their countries will start joint research, development and production of defense equipment, and to try to launch at least one defense program as soon as possible.

Mr. Cameron is due to visit Burma on Friday, becoming the first major Western leader to travel there since decades of military rule ended last year. He will meet in Burma with pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, whose political party claimed a landslide victory in parliamentary by-elections earlier this month.

Prime Minister Cameron will also visit Indonesia and Malaysia on his Southeast Asia tour.

He toured the headquarters of Japanese carmaker Nissan Motors on Tuesday, as the company announced it will spend $200 million to produce a new hatchback vehicle at its British plant in 2014. Nissan previously said it will build a compact car at the same facility.

Nissan's commitments are expected to create more than 1,000 new jobs in Britain.