Japan-UK Leader’s Working Dinner (Summary)

On May 18, commencing at 7:55 p.m. for approximately 95 minutes, Mr. KISHIDA Fumio, Prime Minister of Japan, held a working dinner with the Rt Hon Rishi Sunak MP, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The overview is as follows.

On the occasion of this working dinner, the two leaders issued “The Hiroshima Accord: an Enhanced Japan-UK Global Strategic Partnership” (hereinafter referred to as “Japan-UK Hiroshima Accord”).

1. Opening remarks

At the outset, Prime Minister Kishida expressed heartfelt congratulations on the coronation of His Majesty King Charles III. He also stated that he was pleased to welcome Prime Minister Sunak in Hiroshima on the occasion of G7 Hiroshima Summit. In response, Prime Minister Sunak expressed his appreciation for Prime Minister Kishida’s exquisite hospitality and the two leaders concurred to deepen Japan-UK relations in a wide range of areas, including security, economy and global issues, on the basis of Japan-UK Hiroshima Accord.

2. G7 Hiroshima Summit

Prime Minister Kishida stated that, at the G7 Hiroshima Summit, he would like to demonstrate G7’s determination to uphold and reinforce the free and open international order based on the rule of law and explained Japan’s views on the Summit as the Presidency. The two leaders affirmed to continue to work together closely towards the success of the G7 Hiroshima Summit.

3. Bilateral relations

Prime Minister Kishida stated that he was pleased to begin a new chapter of Japan-UK relations with Japan-UK Hiroshima Accord and the two leaders affirmed to make further efforts in security and defense cooperation, as each other’s closest security partners in Europe and Asia.

In addition, the two leaders welcomed the substantial conclusion of the negotiations for the accession of the UK to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) in March and affirmed to continue advancing the accession process. The two leaders also had a candid discussion on the CPTPP from a strategic perspective, and concurred to continue to work closely together.

The two leaders welcomed the progress made in cooperation on cyber, science and technology as well as innovation, semiconductor and renewable energy, and concurred to promote cooperation in a wide range of areas including digital, health science and nuclear energy. The two leaders also concurred to deepen cooperation on economic security issues, including economic coercion.

4. International affairs

The two leaders exchanged views on the situation in East Asia and affirmed to continue to coordinate closely in addressing issues related to China, and in dealing with North Korea, including on the nuclear and missile issues as well as the abductions issue. In addition, the two leaders reiterated the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and encouraged the peaceful resolution of the cross-Strait issue.

With regard to addressing Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, the two leaders affirmed to continue severe sanctions against Russia and strong support for Ukraine. The two leaders also concurred that they would send robustly to the world the determination of the G7 to uphold the free and open international order based on the rule of law, and demonstrate the unwavering solidarity with Ukraine at the G7 Hiroshima Summit.

The two leaders had a candid exchange of views on the importance of engagement with and support for the Global South.