Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has declared that the United Kingdom and Japan are forging a “new era of co-operation” following a meeting with his Japanese counterpart at Downing Street.
Sir Keir welcomed Sanae Takaichi, the first woman to serve as Japan’s prime minister, along with business leaders, to No 10 on Sunday. The discussions took place ahead of the upcoming G7 summit.
Landmark Tech Partnership
The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) announced that a “landmark tech partnership” between the two nations had been agreed upon, with support from businesses in both countries. Sir Keir described the UK-Japan Frontier Technology Partnership as “combining UK excellence in R&D and software with Japanese advanced manufacturing experience and expertise”.
The Prime Minister also highlighted a new offshore wind compact that would “unlock up to £9 billion of Japanese investment into the UK’s world-leading offshore industry”.
Defence and Security Co-operation
Sir Keir noted that the UK-Japan Defence Capability and Industrial Council was “hugely important”, and emphasised the significance of the GCAP fighter jet development initiative, which he said was at the “heart of the relationship between our two countries”.
Speaking inside Downing Street, the Prime Minister stated: “I’m delighted that we’re building stronger cooperation, a new era of cooperation between our two countries.” He added that the UK and Japan were “working more closely” on defence and had “lots of issues to discuss in a volatile world” ahead of the G7 summit next week.
Ms Takaichi, leader of Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party, said the UK and Japan are “strengthening” security cooperation and share a “shared strategic recognition”. Following the meeting, she remarked: “Today, Japan and the UK hold a firm determination to contribute together to peace and stability in the international community, and are highly important, like-minded countries. I believe that our relationship has reached a level that could even be described as quasi-allies.”
Economic and Investment Benefits
A Downing Street spokesperson confirmed that the Prime Minister welcomed “significant new Japanese investment into the UK, supporting tens of thousands of jobs, including in real estate and financial services”. The leaders also discussed the conflict in the Middle East, Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine, stability in the Indo-Pacific region, and the importance of resilient global supply chains and free trade.
Semiconductor Collaboration
DSIT revealed that, for the first time, a formal partnership had been agreed connecting “the UK’s world-class microchip design expertise with Japan’s advanced manufacturing”. The collaboration between the UK Semiconductor Centre and Rapidus, Japan’s 2nm semiconductor manufacturing facility, will create a “direct pathway for the UK semiconductor sector to manufacture cutting-edge chips”. Rapidus is backed by £11.6 billion in Japanese government investment, and DSIT described the agreement as a “critical step in strengthening the resilience of the UK semiconductor sector”.
Technology Minister Kanishka Narayan commented that Japan “is one of our closest tech partners”. Discussing the UK-Japan Frontier Technology Partnership, the Labour MP added: “This deal will offer our talented innovators driving the future of quantum computers, next-generation chips, and clean energy direct access to vital investment, manufacturing and markets. At the same time the UK’s world-class research base, software expertise, and pro-innovation environment makes us the ideal partner for Japanese firms looking to expand and invest. By working together we can bolster growth and jobs across our countries and build a stronger, more secure economy that improves lives across the UK.”
