Tokyo, January 31, 2026 — The Europe Today: Japan and Britain are set to strengthen cooperation on defense and economic security as Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi holds talks with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in Tokyo on Saturday, according to media reports.
The discussions are expected to cover a broad range of issues, including regional and global security, economic resilience, and strategic coordination. Starmer’s visit to Japan follows a four-day trip to China, where he met President Xi Jinping and agreed to pursue a long-term and stable strategic partnership. His stop in Tokyo underscores London’s efforts to balance engagement with Beijing while reinforcing ties with key allies in Asia.
Japan and Britain have steadily expanded defense cooperation in recent years amid rising geopolitical tensions, with both governments stressing that security in the Indo-Pacific and the Euro-Atlantic regions is increasingly interconnected.
A cornerstone of their defense partnership is a trilateral program involving Italy to jointly develop a next-generation fighter jet, which is scheduled to enter service by 2035. Japan and Britain are also close allies of the United States and members of the Group of Seven (G7).
Economic cooperation is also high on the agenda. As the world’s fourth- and sixth-largest economies respectively, Japan and Britain have enhanced trade and investment ties, particularly following the United Kingdom’s departure from the European Union in 2020.
Prime Minister Takaichi and Prime Minister Starmer last met in November on the sidelines of the G20 Leaders’ Summit in South Africa. The current visit marks Starmer’s first trip to Japan since assuming office in July 2024. The two leaders are expected to hold a joint press conference after their meeting.
