By AFP and Focus | 2026-02-03

TOKYO -- Britain and Japan have agreed to deepen defense and security cooperation after British Prime Minister Keir Starmer met Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in Tokyo to advance a broader strategic partnership spanning the Euro-Atlantic and the Indo-Pacific.

The talks on February 1 focused on strengthening collective security, expanding cooperation in cyber and space domains, and reinforcing defense industrial ties, as both governments seek to respond to growing regional and global security challenges.

"We set out a clear priority to build an even deeper partnership in the years to come," Starmer said as he stood beside Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi after their meeting.

"That includes working together to strengthen our collective security, across the Euro-Atlantic and in the Indo-Pacific."

Takaichi said the two sides agreed to hold a meeting of British and Japanese foreign and defense ministers later this year.

She wanted to discuss "cooperation towards realizing a free and open Indo-Pacific, the Middle East situation and Ukraine situation" at a dinner with Starmer on January 31, ahead of the talks, she added.

The summit marked the official launch of a Strategic Cyber Partnership, with the two countries agreeing to expand cooperation in cyber security, including information-sharing aimed at protecting critical national infrastructure.

The leaders agreed as well to establish a new space consultation framework to exchange expertise on satellite technology and orbital security.

Starmer arrived in Tokyo for a one-day visit following a four-day trip to China, which followed recent visits by other Western leaders seeking to rebalance ties with Beijing. His stop in Japan underscored London's efforts to reinforce alliances in the Indo-Pacific while pursuing engagement with China.

Starmer's trip to China

Starmer conferred on various issues with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang during his China visit on January 29, with both sides emphasizing the need for closer ties.

He signed a series of agreements, with Downing Street announcing that Beijing had agreed in principle to allow visa-free travel for British citizens visiting China for up to 30 days, though no start date has been set.

To balance his outreach to Beijing, Starmer highlighted the economic scale of the Anglo-Japanese relationship. Japan is Britain's largest inward investor outside the United States and Europe, supporting about 150,000 jobs, he said.

The leaders signed an industrial strategy partnership focused on clean energy, including offshore wind deployment and collaboration on fusion energy to strengthen long-term energy security.

Japan's security environment darkens

Japan has been confronting a more challenging security environment, with pressure mounting from China, North Korea and Russia across the Indo-Pacific, according to the Japan Times (JT) on January 29.

Tokyo has responded by steadily strengthening its defense posture while broadening security partnerships, the JT said.

The United Kingdom has become"a central, yet still underappreciated strategic partner," it added. The shift reflects Japan's growing emphasis on reliable partners able to contribute to regional security.

Tokyo's ties with Beijing have deteriorated since Takaichi suggested in November that Japan could intervene militarily during a potential attack on Taiwan. China considers the self-ruled democratic island its territory.

Starmer and Takaichi agreed during discussions on economic security that strengthening supply chains, "including important minerals, is urgently needed," said Takaichi.

Fear of losing rare earths

Concern has arisen that Beijing could choke off exports of the rare earths crucial for making everything from electric cars to missiles. China, the world's leading producer of such minerals, announced new export controls in October on rare earths and associated technologies.

Both Britain and Japan have a "clear interest in maintaining free and predictable trade," said Starmer.

Britain, Japan and Italy are jointly developing a next-generation fighter jet under the Global Combat Air Program, marking a shift for Tokyo after decades of reliance on US military aircraft. The partners will accelerate progress on the project, said Takaichi.

Industry partners BAE Systems and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries have formed a joint venture, Edgewing, to lead development. A supersonic demonstrator aircraft is expected to fly by 2027, ahead of a planned production target in 2035.