Japan, UK agree on need of strengthening critical mineral supply chains as premiers of 2 nations meet in Tokyo

By Saadet Gokce

ISTANBUL (AA) - Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and her British counterpart Keir Starmer Saturday agreed on “the urgent need for their countries and like-minded partners to cooperate” in critical mineral supply chains, as Takaichi hosted Starmer for talks in Tokyo.

The two leaders also affirmed closer cooperation on cyber security and space, according to the Kyodo news agecny.

Starmer is in Japan after completing his four-day visit to China, during which he met President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang.

Economic ties between the UK and Japan remain strong, with total bilateral trade reaching £33.2 billion (about $42.2 billion) in the year ending the second quarter of 2025, according to UK Department for Business and Trade data.

Japan and the UK, both constitutional monarchies, established diplomatic relations in 1858.