Japan-United Kingdom Relations
Japan-UK Foreign Ministers’ meeting
March 26, 2026
On March 26, commencing at 6:08 p.m. local time (2:08 a.m. on March 27, Japan time) for approximately 30 minutes, Mr. MOTEGI Toshimitsu, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, who is visiting France to attend the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, held a Foreign Ministers’ meeting with the Rt Hon Yvette COOPER, Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The overview is as follows:
- At the outset, Minister MOTEGI referred to Prime Minister Starmer’s visit to Japan in January, stating that the visit clearly demonstrated the high quality of Japan-UK relations as enhanced global strategic partners, and expressed his hope to elevate Japan-UK cooperation to new heights. Minister MOTEGI also stated that he would like to work together to address various challenges facing the international community. In response, Secretary Cooper stated that she would like to collaborate with Minister MOTEGI to further strengthen the Japan-UK relations.
- Referring to the progress in the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), the two Ministers concurred to continue advancing concrete security cooperation between Japan and the UK. The two ministers also concurred on advancing cooperation in the field of economic security.
- The two Ministers exchanged views and concurred to continue to work closely together on various issues facing the international community. These issues include the situation in the Indo-Pacific, such as their policies toward North Korea, including on the nuclear and missile issues as well as the abductions issue, the Middle East, and Ukraine.