Press Releases

At the outset, Minister MOTEGI expressed great pleasure at welcoming Foreign Secretary Cooper to Japan for the first time, noting that since their first meeting in November last year shortly after his appointment as Foreign Minister, they had aligned their views and confirmed coordination on the severe international situation through G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meetings and bilateral meetings. Minister MOTEGI emphasized that, at a time when the overall international order is being shaken, cooperation with the UK, an “Enhanced Global Strategic Partner,” with which Japan shares fundamental values, has become even more important. In response, Foreign Secretary Cooper echoed this view, noting that she would like to further strengthen Japan-UK cooperation through this 10th Japan-UK Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue.

1. Minister MOTEGI expressed appreciation for Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s invitation to Ms. TAKAICHI Sanae, Prime Minister of Japan to Chequers (the official country residence of the UK Prime Minister) in January this year, and stated that Japan would work closely with the UK towards future mutual visits between leaders.
2. The two ministers, sharing the recognition that the security of the Euro-Atlantic and the Indo-Pacific is inseparable, and in light of the significant advances in Japan-UK cooperation in recent years, concurred on further accelerating progress on the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), a cornerstone of bilateral security cooperation.
3. Having confirmed steady progress in Japan-UK cooperation in the economic field, including cooperation under the Japan-UK Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and within the Comprehensive Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), and the expansion of cooperation on economic security through the “Economic 2+2,” the two ministers concurred to continue advancing comprehensive and concrete cooperation, such as strengthening the resilience of supply chains for critical minerals.
4. The two ministers concurred on further strengthening information sharing in peacetime and mutual cooperation in times of crisis regarding the assistance to their nationals abroad, taking into account the Memorandum of Cooperation on Mutual Assistance to Japanese and British Nationals Abroad that was signed on this occasion.

1. The two ministers discussed international challenges such as the situation in the Indo-Pacific, including China, their policies toward North Korea, including on the nuclear and missile issues as well as the abductions issue, and the situation in Ukraine, and cooperation in international fora, and concurred to continue working in close coordination.
2. Minister MOTEGI, touching on the situation in the Middle East, including the situation in Iran, which is a pressing issue at present, underscored the importance of ensuring the safety of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz while stating that Japan would continue its diplomatic efforts toward the early de-escalation of the situation. The two ministers concurred to continue close communication toward the early de-escalation of the situation.
3. The two ministers also exchanged views on cooperation in the international arena, including the United Nations Security Council reform, disarmament and non-proliferation.