The use of possessive adjective "her" for countries

[Sammy Sam]

I have noticed that Americans tend to use the possessive adjective "her" for countries. Have a look

Until early in 1941 Japan's plan in case of war against the United States was to use her main fleet in the southern Pacific in conjunction with an attack on the Philippine Islands, ...

Is it also acceptable in British English

Can "her" be replaced by "its" in American English?

 

[probus]

Not only is it acceptable in AmE, I'd say it's far more common than her in such contexts.

 

[Sammy Sam]

Not only is it acceptable in AmE, I'd say it's far more common than her in such contexts.

Do you mean "its" is far more common than her?

 

[probus]

Yes.

 

[tedmc]

It think "its" is preferred in both varieties of English because it is gender-neutral.