UK PM Visits Japan
2026-01-26 13:07:16
UK Prime Minister's Visit to Japan to Strengthen Bilateral Ties
On January 31, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, alongside Business and Trade Secretary Peter Kyle, will embark on an important visit to Japan. This trip aims to reconfirm the strong, forward-looking partnership between the UK and Japan, rooted in trust and innovation. During their stay, the UK leaders are scheduled to meet with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, where they will engage in discussions on how to further enhance bilateral relations.
The partnership between Japan and the UK is built upon shared values of democracy, a longstanding friendly relationship, and a joint commitment to an open, rules-based international order. Both nations are dedicated to establishing cooperative frameworks that contribute to sustained growth. This visit is a continuation of recent advances in UK-Japan cooperation, following key engagements such as the "Economics 2+2" ministerial meeting held in March 2025, UK's participation in the Osaka-Kansai Expo, the deployment of the aircraft carrier strike group to Japan, and visits by the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh.
The significance of this trip is underscored by the extensive depth of the UK-Japan relationship across numerous sectors, including trade, science and technology, cybersecurity, economic security, and defense. It serves as a testament to both countries' resolute commitment to enhance cooperation in areas crucial to the future of their societies and economies. At present, the economic ties between Japan and the UK are substantial, with an investment stock reaching £78 billion and a trade volume of £33 billion. Japan, being the fourth-largest economy in the world, is the UK’s largest foreign investor outside of the US and Europe, supporting around 200,000 jobs in the UK through approximately 1,000 Japanese companies. Additionally, both nations act as each other's closest security partners in Asia and Europe, collaboratively advancing the UK's second-largest defense capability development program.
Moreover, following the announcement of the UK's "New Industrial Strategy," the UK has secured investment commitments exceeding £250 billion across eight priority sectors from countries worldwide, thereby sustaining over 45,000 jobs. The outcomes of this Japan visit could play a pivotal role in further solidifying the UK’s industrial strategies and enhancing mutual economic benefits between the two countries.
For photos from the UK Prime Minister's visit, please visit No10 Flickr [Number 10 | Flickr].