Japan and the United Kingdom reaffirmed their status as close partners during the tenth Japan-UK Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue held in Tokyo on 20 April 2026, emphasizing shared commitments to global security, defence cooperation, and the advancement of a free and open Indo-Pacific.
The dialogue, co-chaired by UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper and Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu, built upon the framework of the Enhanced Global Strategic Partnership confirmed by the Hiroshima Accord in May 2023. Both nations reiterated their dedication to upholding shared values of freedom, democracy, the rule of law, fundamental human rights, and free, open, and fair trade as the foundation of their bilateral relationship.
In the context of growing challenges to multilateral cooperation, Japan and the UK confirmed their intent to strengthen joint efforts in addressing global issues while deepening their development partnership. Officials highlighted progress across multiple sectors and expressed a shared ambition to build an even more comprehensive alliance moving forward.
Defence and Security Cooperation
A central focus of the discussions was defence and security collaboration, with both sides recognizing that the security of the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific regions is inseparable. Japan and the UK reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing combined capabilities to support global peace and stability.
The two countries welcomed the ongoing development of the next-generation fighter aircraft under the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), a joint initiative with Italy. They noted significant progress in industrial and technological cooperation within this framework as a key element of their strategic defence partnership.
Bilateral defence ties were further underscored by recent joint activities, including the visit of the UK Carrier Strike Group to Japan in summer 2025 and the deployment of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force to North America and Europe under the Atlantic Eagles exercise in autumn 2025. Both engagements were conducted under the provisions of the Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA), which facilitates smoother coordination between the two militaries.
Regional and Global Outlook
Japan and the UK emphasized their shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific, describing it as a core objective of their partnership. They pointed to advances in practical cooperation across various fields as evidence of the deepening ties between the two nations.
As island nations with global outlooks and a commitment to the rules-based international system, both countries framed their collaboration as mutually reinforcing, particularly in promoting resilience, prosperity, and security in an increasingly complex international environment.
The tenth iteration of the Japan-UK Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue serves as a regular mechanism for sustaining high-level engagement, allowing both governments to align on priorities and track progress on long-term strategic goals.