ISTANBUL

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and her British counterpart Keir Starmer Saturday agreed on “the urgent need for their countries and like-minded partners to cooperate” in critical mineral supply chains, as Takaichi hosted Starmer for talks in Tokyo.

"As Enhanced Global Strategic Partners and critically important like-minded partners in security, we confirmed the strengthening of cooperation in areas such as cyber, defense and security, economic security, and science and technology," Takaichi said, according to her office's account on the US social media company X.

"We will further advance these initiatives and elevate Japan–UK cooperation to new heights," she added.

Takaichi also said that they agreed to hold "two-plus-two" security talks with their foreign and defense ministers later this year and accelerate their trilateral project with Italy to jointly develop a next-generation fighter jet by 2035, according to Kyodo News.

Starmer, on the other hand, said during the joint news conference that the UK and Japan are both "proud trading nations, so we have a clear interest in maintaining free and predictable trade and a free and open Indo-Pacific to ensure our businesses can thrive in a turbulent world."

He also said on X that the London-Tokyo partnership is "delivering on growth and security for people back at home."

Takaichi gifted Starmer Japanese-themed cat gifts for the 10 Downing Street cat, Larry.

Starmer is in Japan after completing his four-day visit to China, during which he met President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang.

Economic ties between the UK and Japan remain strong, with total bilateral trade reaching £33.2 billion (about $42.2 billion) in the year ending the second quarter of 2025, according to UK Department for Business and Trade data.

Japan and the UK, both constitutional monarchies, established diplomatic relations in 1858.