Japan, Britain Agree to Enhance Energy Security

London, June 14 (Jiji Press)–Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and her British counterpart, Keir Starmer, on Sunday agreed to cooperate to enhance economic security, including energy supply stability, amid the Middle East turmoil. The two leaders also agreed to continue their collaboration on the joint development of a next-generation fighter jet by Japan, Britain and Italy. “I’d like to exchange opinions on economic security, defense and advanced technology,” Takaichi told Starmer at the meeting. Starmer said he is pleased to have an opportunity to talk about the future with Takaichi in the areas of investment, energy and others. The two leaders agreed to promote cooperation to expand the supply chains of critical minerals, apparently in light of Chinese restrictions on exports of rare earths to Japan. They also expressed an eagerness to strengthen the two countries’ “quasi-alliance” amid concerns over unpredictable U.S. diplomacy under President Donald Trump and rising military threats from China and Russia. For Japan, Britain “has reached the level of a ‘quasi-ally,'” Takaichi said. Starmer, for his part, said it is a privilege to talk with Takaichi at a time when the two countries, which share values and ways of thinking, are cooperating more closely than ever. After the meeting, Takaichi and Starmer held a business roundtable with Japanese and British business representatives to strengthen bilateral economic ties through increased mutual investment. Japan’s Rapidus Corp., which aims to start mass-producing cutting-edge semiconductors, signed a memorandum of understanding with a British public organization for research and development cooperation. In addition, massive Japanese investment is expected to go to clean energy projects, including offshore wind power in Britain. At the meeting, the two leaders again confirmed the need for an early ceasefire between the United States and Iran and agreed to cooperate for safe navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. As China’s behavior gets increasingly hegemonic, Takaichi is believed to have sought support from Starmer for an updated version of the free and open Indo-Pacific vision that she unveiled earlier. They are also believed to have confirmed that security in the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific regions is close and inseparable and agreed on the need for continued support for Ukraine, still fighting against the Russian invasion. Japan wants to keep Britain closely engaged by strengthening the quasi-alliance. Britain, a nuclear-armed state and a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council, still has international influence. “Among our quasi-allies, Britain is the most important partner,” a senior Japanese Foreign Ministry official said, showing Tokyo’s wish to continue strengthening the bilateral relationship. Ahead of the meeting, Takaichi visited Westminster Abbey in central London and laid a wreath at the grave of the Unknown Soldier to honor British soldiers killed in World War I. Takaichi arrived in Britain aboard a chartered plane Saturday in her first trip to the country since she took office last October. When she met with Starmer in Japan in January this year, she received an invitation to visit Britain early. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]