But the meeting at the Prime Minister’s Office in Tokyo comes at a tense moment for the region, following controversial comments from Takaichi suggesting that Japan could be drawn into conflict between China and Taiwan.
Sir Keir said he and his Japanese counterpart agreed on the need to respond with “strength and clarity” to increasing instability in the world, and thanked her for “steadfast leadership in supporting Ukraine”.
Ahead of a working dinner, the Japanese PM said that Sir Keir “looked well”, adding she had been invited to his Chequers country estate later this year.
“I look forward to our dinner in a moment, and to the meeting that I hope we will have,” Sir Keir said following the 20-minute meeting between the leaders.
He added that the UK and Japan “share vital interests and principles” and that he looked “forward to driving that forward together.”
He went on to say that the two countries “have a clear interest in free and predictable trade”, saying they aimed to improve supply chains in “key areas such as critical minerals”.
AloJapan.com