What programme?
A couple of mil in research money over a few years... not only is it 'pin money' but its is not news.. collaboration has been on going for a number of years, even prior to Concorde's withdrawal...
The Japanese 'want' the knowledge and the technology...nd why not get it where they can..
Its a little like daying the Japanese are 'snubbing' Airbus because they particapate in the risk sharing fashion with Boeing...
NO they are getting knowledge and experience for relativley little risk.
The advantage the French have over the British is that their Government sponsored research prgrammes are still focusing on 'pure' research to a greater extent than in the UK where much more 'product' research is being carried out.