UK and Japan Sign Strategic Tech and Critical Minerals Pact

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer met at Downing Street and agreed to strengthen supply‑chain resilience, warning of “serious concerns” over export restrictions on critical minerals, especially rare‑earth elements largely controlled by China.

The leaders formalised the UK‑Japan Frontier Technology Partnership and a joint Economic Security Declaration, creating a framework to combine Britain’s research capacity with Japan’s manufacturing expertise. The pact covers artificial intelligence, advanced materials and next‑generation defence technologies, and establishes a Defence Capability and Industrial Council to deepen collaboration on military innovation.

Japanese investment into the UK was highlighted as a boost for high‑value sectors such as finance and real estate, with expectations of supporting tens of thousands of jobs. The agreement also reaffirmed shared commitments on regional security, including the Middle East and Ukraine, and signals tighter economic and strategic ties between Europe and the Indo‑Pacific.