INTERVIEW: Britain Holds High Hopes for Takaichi’s Ambition

By Masaru Urano Tokyo, Feb. 28 (Jiji Press)–British Ambassador to Japan Julia Longbottom has expressed high hopes for Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s “ambition” on policy goals for various fields including security and supply chain resilience. “As the world around us is changing, no country can afford to stand still,” Longbottom said in an interview with Jiji Press on Thursday. “So we really welcome the ambition that Prime Minister Takaichi has set out for a more secure, a more prosperous and a more resilient Japan. I’m really excited about the opportunities that gives us.” The British diplomat said that the 17 strategic fields designated by the Takaichi administration for public-private investments under Japan’s draft budget for fiscal 2026, including artificial intelligence and semiconductors, quantum technology and aerospace, are “well aligned” with the eight priority sectors of the British government’s Modern Industrial Strategy. The similarities between the priority fields “provide a really strong basis for us to do more together, including in innovation, where we have really incredible shared strengths,” Longbottom said. “Japanese and British industrial strengths and expertise are combining to support energy security for both countries,” the ambassador said, noting Japanese companies’ investments in offshore wind power generation in Britain, including Mitsui & Co.’s acquisition of the Port of Nigg in Scotland, a potential hub for offshore operations. She emphasized the opportunities for collaboration on economic security and supply chains, not just between the two governments but also including commercial partnerships, especially in areas in which the two countries’ strengths are complementary and private-sector companies have particular strengths or niches. The Japan-Britain Strategic Cyber Partnership, launched during British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s visit to Japan for a meeting with Takaichi on Jan. 31, seeks to “protect our people as well as our critical national infrastructure,” Longbottom said. She observed that, while the two countries face threats from Russia, China, Iran and North Korea, the most immediate danger to citizens comes in the form of cyber-enabled fraud and scams, as well as online misinformation. She noted the importance of public- and private-sector cooperation between the two countries to protect citizens from such dangers. The ambassador said that the two governments share a strong interest in reducing the risk of conflict in East Asia, adding, “It’s clear that the situation is far less stable than in the past and less stable than we would like it to be.” She affirmed Britain’s commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific and said her country supports the de-escalation of tensions and the promotion of stability in the region. The British government views the security of the Euro-Atlantic region and that of the Indo-Pacific region as being “indivisible,” she added. On Britain-China relations, Longbottom stressed the importance of “tackling the threats posed by China whilst also pursuing the opportunities that it offers.” She said that Starmer’s visit to China, the first by a British prime minister in eight years, ahead of his meeting with Takaichi was “a really important step” in advancing the two countries’ cooperation. Not engaging with Beijing would “cut us off from opportunities” and “reduce our ability to work with China on important local challenges like health, development and climate change,” she added. Longbottom, who became the British ambassador to Japan in March 2021, is set to leave the post in summer. She is serving her third posting to the British Embassy in Tokyo. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]