British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi pledged to respond with “strength and clarity” to global shocks during a meeting in Tokyo on Saturday. The two leaders agreed to accelerate cooperation on cybersecurity, critical minerals supply chains, and joint development of next-generation fighter jets.
Starmer invited Takaichi to Chequers, describing the UK-Japan relationship as the “strongest now that it has been in decades.” A working dinner and a joint news conference followed the 20-minute meeting.
The cooperation comes as both nations face growing security concerns in the Indo-Pacific region and global economic volatility. Starmer stated: “My visit here today comes at a time when geopolitical, economic and technological shocks are literally shaking the world, and that matters deeply to the British people, because these international events increasingly come crashing into our daily lives.”
New cyber partnership launched
Britain and Japan agreed to launch a new cyber strategic partnership to improve cybersecurity and protect their economies. The nations will also work to strengthen supply chain resilience for critical minerals and build more diversified supply chains.
Takaichi said at the joint news conference: “We agreed that it is urgent for the like-minded countries to work together.” The Japanese leader expressed her desire to work “ever more closely” with Starmer to build a new era of relations amid complex international crises.
AloJapan.com