UK and Japan will respond with strength as instability ‘shakes world’, says Starmer
Sir Keir Starmer said on a visit to Tokyo that Britain and Japan would respond with “force and clarity” as “geopolitical, economic and technological shocks literally shake the world”.
The prime minister, who met his Japanese counterpart Sanae Takaichi on a plane visit to Japan following a four-day trip to China, invited her to Chequers and said the relationship between Britain and Japan was “the strongest it has been in decades”.
Ms Takaichi said she and Sir Keir had discussed efforts to work more closely on cybersecurity, strengthening supply chains of critical minerals and joint work on next-generation fighter jets.
It comes at a time of rising global volatility and as Britain’s relationship with the US has reached its lowest ever point, with Donald Trump openly mocking the UK prime minister over the Chagos Islands deal and threatening to impose tariffs on the UK for backing Denmark over Greenland.
In a statement following the 20-minute meeting and before the working lunch, Sir Keir said: “I look forward to our upcoming dinner and meeting at Checkers which I hope we will have soon.
“We share vital interests and principles, but more importantly, we share a passion for this partnership that can bring real benefits to both countries.”
He added: “My visit here today comes at a time when geopolitical, economic and technological shocks are literally shaking the world, and this matters deeply to the British people as these international events increasingly impinge on our daily lives.
“When war abroad raises fuel prices at home, families are the first to feel it; when supply chains are broken, small businesses and workers absorb the shock; when instability increases, it is the vulnerable who are hardest hit.
“So together, our response must be strong and clear, deepening our resilience, strengths and alliances to better serve our people,” he continued.
“The Prime Minister and I share this perspective, and that’s why I’m here today.”
Ms Takaichi, who came to power in October last year, is about to contest an early general election that she has called to secure a majority in Japan’s parliament following strong approval ratings; This means that Ms. Takaichi may no longer be Japan’s prime minister when the Checkers meeting takes place.
Ms Takaichi echoed Sir Keir’s comments, saying she would discuss Ukraine and the Middle East at the dinner, as well as “cooperation towards the realization of a free and open Indo-Pacific”.
He added: “I want to work more closely than ever with Prime Minister Keir to build a new era in Japan-UK relations amid the complex crises facing the international community in the 21st century.”
Sir Keir’s visit to Japan coincides with the end of a controversial four-day trip to China, where the UK is continuing its efforts to “reset” its relationship with Beijing.
Traveling with a delegation of more than 50 business and cultural leaders, Sir Keir facilitated a reduction in whiskey tariffs and the introduction of visa-free travel to China for British citizens.
Following the meeting between Sir Keir and Chinese President Xi Jinping, Beijing also decided to lift sanctions against British parliamentarians.
