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The United Kingdom and Japan are set to deepen cooperation across artificial intelligence, nuclear technology, defense and renewable energy through a package of agreements worth more than £18 billion ($24.1 billion) as the two countries prepare for next week's G7 summit.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will host Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi at Downing Street on Sunday ahead of the G7 gathering in Évian-les-Bains, where more than 10 commercial and government agreements are due to be signed. The measures cover advanced technology, clean energy, infrastructure, life sciences, and security.
The package builds on the UK-Japan economic relationship already valued at £140 billion and is projected to create tens of thousands of jobs across Britain, the British government said in a statement.
A new UK-Japan Frontier Tech Partnership will link British research with Japanese investment in artificial intelligence, quantum computing, civil nuclear technology and defense innovation.
The initiative includes a major export agreement for British quantum computing firm ORCA Computing and a new arrangement between the UK Semiconductor Centre and Rapidus aimed at expanding access to advanced chip manufacturing.
British engineering group Rolls-Royce will also broaden its work with Japan's Atomic Energy Agency through a new agreement involving the UK National Nuclear Laboratory, while research institutions from both countries will step up collaboration in fusion energy.
"These landmark agreements will bring multibillion-pound investment into the UK, creating tens of thousands of new jobs and driving new developments," Starmer said.
Clean energy forms the largest part of the package, with a new Offshore Wind Compact expected to unlock up to £9 billion in Japanese funding for British offshore wind projects.
The investment will support 5.9 gigawatts of floating offshore wind capacity, including the Ossian, Green Volt and Erebus projects, which are expected to generate enough electricity to power around 8 million homes.
The two leaders are also expected to reaffirm support for the Global Combat Air Programme, the joint fighter jet project involving the U.K., Japan and Italy, while launching a new Defense Capability and Industrial Council to expand cooperation on technologies such as drones and artificial intelligence and increase investment opportunities for British defense firms.
The wider package includes a five-year Japanese investment pipeline worth more than £9 billion, alongside commitments from Hitachi Energy U.K. to create at least 500 jobs and invest more than £18 million in Stafford and a £48 million investment by pharmaceutical company Eisai in a dementia-treatment packaging facility in Hatfield.
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