Japan-UK Summit Meeting (Summary)

On November 18th, commencing at 3:55 p.m. (local time; 3:55 a.m. on November 19 JST) for approximately 20 minutes, Mr. ISHIBA Shigeru, Prime Minister of Japan, who is visiting Brazil to attend the G20 Summit Meeting, held a bilateral summit meeting with the Rt Hon Keir Starmer KCB KC MP, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The overview is as follows.

1. At the outset, Prime Minister Starmer reconveyed his congratulations to Prime Minister Ishiba for assuming the office. Prime Minister Ishiba, while conveying his gratitude, stated that he would like to further strengthen the relationship with the UK, an Enhanced Global Strategic Partner, in all areas and at all levels.

2. The two leaders shared the recognition that the security of the Euro-Atlantic and the Indo-Pacific is inseparable and welcomed the great progress between the two countries being made in meaningful and concrete cooperation to realize a ‘free and open Indo-Pacific’, including the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), deployment of the UK’s Carrier Strike Group to the Indo Pacific planned for 2025 and the application of the Japan Self-Defense Forces’ asset protection measures to the UK. The two leaders concurred to strongly promote such cooperation.

3. The two leaders shared the view that achieving strong economic growth is a common priority between the two countries. The two leaders concurred on the launch of the Japan-UK Economic 2+2 Ministers’ Meeting (“Economic 2+2”) to further advance bilateral cooperation, in the field of economy including trade and economic-security between Japan and the UK.

4. The two leaders concurred to continue to work closely together on various issues in the international community, such as the situation in East Asia and Ukraine.