Keir Starmer will welcome Japan’s prime minister Sanae Takaichi to Downing Street on Sunday ahead of the G7 summit, as the two countries finalise an £18bn investment deal that the prime minister says will create tens of thousands of jobs.
More than 10 commercial and government agreements are expected to be signed, including a £9bn offshore wind deal. Rolls-Royce will deepen its collaboration with Japan’s Atomic Energy Agency, signing a new agreement to develop next-generation technologies, Downing Street said. Japanese and British business leaders will join for a discussion on future opportunities for economic growth.
“Starmer to seal £18bn Japan deal as Healey resignation rocks his leadership.”
“These landmark agreements will bring multibillion-pound investment into the UK, creating tens of thousands of new jobs and driving new developments,” Starmer said. “As G7 economies and close security partners, we are working together with Japan on some of the most innovative technology in the world, harnessing the best of British and Japanese research and industry to deliver growth and security to every corner of the United Kingdom.”
Discussions will also include helping UK defence firms access Japanese investment, No 10 said.
The announcement comes as Starmer’s leadership survival plans were rocked by the shock resignation of John Healey as defence secretary over a dispute about long-term funding for the military. Healey was joined in his exit from government by armed forces minister Al Carns, as well as two parliamentary aides, heaping pressure on the prime minister, who is already facing the threat of a leadership challenge.