UK and Japan Forge Strategic Cyber Partnership, Bolstering Economic and Security Ties

Historic Partnership Strengthens Cyber Defenses

On January 31, 2026, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi officially launched a new Strategic Cyber Partnership during Starmer's visit to Tokyo. This significant agreement builds upon the existing Japan-UK Cyber Partnership established in 2023 as part of 'The Hiroshima Accord: an Enhanced Japan-UK Global Strategic Partnership'. The partnership is designed to address the evolving landscape of global cyber threats and enhance the collective resilience of both nations.

The Strategic Cyber Partnership is structured around three core pillars:

• Detect, deter, and defend against cyber threats: This involves sharing cyber threat intelligence and assessments, enhancing cyber capabilities, and leading international initiatives.
• Enhance whole-of-society cyber resilience: Focusing on strengthening the overall ability of both countries to withstand and recover from cyberattacks.
• Build a growth and innovation ecosystem: Fostering collaboration in cyber technologies and related industries.

Prime Minister Starmer's visit to Japan followed a four-day trip to China, underscoring the UK's engagement across the Indo-Pacific region.

Deepening Economic Cooperation and Supply Chain Resilience

Beyond cybersecurity, the leaders engaged in extensive discussions aimed at strengthening economic cooperation. A key focus was on enhancing supply chain resilience, particularly for critical minerals, which are vital for various advanced technologies. Both Prime Ministers emphasized the urgent need for like-minded countries to collaborate in this area amidst growing international concerns over export restrictions.

Discussions also covered expanding industrial cooperation in several advanced sectors, including:

• Wind power
• Quantum technologies
• Fusion energy

The leaders highlighted the success of the Japan-UK Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which has seen trade and investment between the two countries increase by approximately 1.5 times over the past five years. Total bilateral trade reached £33.2 billion (about $42.2 billion) in the year ending the second quarter of 2025.

Enhanced Security and Defense Collaboration

The meeting also solidified commitments to deepen defense and security ties, reflecting a shared vision for stability in the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific regions. Key agreements in this domain include:

• Accelerating the joint development of the next-generation fighter aircraft under the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), a trilateral project also involving Italy.
• Committing to hold a Foreign and Defence Ministers' Meeting ('2+2') within the current year.
• The UK confirmed its intention to deploy the UK Carrier Strike Group to the Indo-Pacific region again in 2025.

Prime Minister Takaichi noted that cooperation between Japan and the UK, as 'Enhanced Global Strategic Partners,' symbolizes the inseparability of security across the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific. The leaders expressed their commitment to upholding a free and open international order based on the rule of law.