Japan-United Kingdom Relations
Japan-UK Summit Telephone Meeting
August 20, 2026
On August 20, commencing at 4:00 p.m. for approximately 30 minutes, Ms. TAKAICHI Sanae, Prime Minister of Japan, held a summit telephone meeting with The Rt Hon Andy Burnham, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
- At the outset, Prime Minister TAKAICHI congratulated Prime Minister Burnham on the assumption of his office, and expressed her desire to work closely with Prime Minister Burnham to elevate Japan-UK relations to new heights and to achieve peace and stability in the international community. In response, Prime Minister Burnham stated that he would like to work with Prime Minister TAKAICHI to bring Japan-UK relationship even closer.
- The leaders shared the recognition that the security of the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific regions is inseparable, and concurred in promoting cooperation in the security field, including the progress of the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), as well as in the fields of economy and economic security.
- The two leaders exchanged views and concurred that they would 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 the nuclear and missile issues and the abductions issue, as well as the situations in Ukraine.