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The UK and Japan are poised to finalise an £18 billion investment package, anticipated to generate tens of thousands of new jobs across Britain.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is scheduled to host his Japanese counterpart, Sanae Takaichi, at Downing Street on Sunday, ahead of next week’s G7 summit.
More than ten commercial and government agreements are expected to be signed during the visit, including a substantial £9 billion deal for offshore wind projects.
Further collaboration will see Rolls-Royce deepen its partnership with Japan’s Atomic Energy Agency, signing a new agreement focused on developing next-generation technologies.
Discussions will also involve British and Japanese business leaders exploring future economic growth opportunities, alongside efforts to help UK defence firms access Japanese investment.
Starmer is facing domestic political pressures following John Healey’s resignation (PA)
Sir Keir stated: “These landmark agreements will bring multibillion-pound investment into the UK, creating tens of thousands of new jobs and driving new developments.
“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.”
This significant international engagement comes as Sir Keir faces domestic political pressures, following the recent resignation of John Healey as defence secretary over a dispute regarding long-term military funding.
Mr Healey’s departure was mirrored by armed forces minister Al Carns and two parliamentary aides, intensifying scrutiny on the Prime Minister amid threats of a leadership challenge.
Andy Burnham could be in line to challenge Starmer if he wins the Makerfield by-election on Thursday, and he criticised the Labour leader during a campaign speech on Saturday.
Burnham warned that the UK is heading for the same “poisonous” politics as the US.
He told the audience: “It doesn’t feel that we’re heading in the right direction. It doesn’t feel like we’re heading to better lives for people.
“Things are getting harder, and politics is getting more polarised, and the path we’re on, if we are not careful, is a path towards the politics of the United States of America, a polarised, poisonous politics where people in communities don’t work together any more.”