Japan, Britain to boost cybersecurity and critical minerals cooperation as China’s influence grows

Japan and Britain have agreed to deepen their cooperation on cybersecurity and critical minerals supply chains, as both nations respond to China’s growing regional influence and geopolitical tensions in Asia.

During British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s brief but significant visit to Tokyo on Saturday, he met with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to discuss strategic partnerships that would strengthen security across the Atlantic and Indo-Pacific regions.

“We are meeting at a time when geopolitical, economic and technological shocks are literally shaking the world,” Starmer said at a joint news conference following their talks. The meeting comes just after Starmer’s trip to Beijing, where he and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed to work toward a stable “strategic partnership.”

The timing is particularly notable as Japan-China relations have deteriorated recently. Tensions escalated after Takaichi commented about potential Japanese involvement should China take military action against Taiwan, the self-governing island that Beijing claims as its territory.

A key outcome of the Tokyo meeting was the announcement of a new cyber strategic partnership aimed at bolstering both nations’ digital defenses. “This partnership will improve our cybersecurity to protect our economies,” Starmer explained.

Japan has been increasingly concerned about its cybersecurity vulnerabilities, especially as the country accelerates its military modernization efforts and strengthens its alliance with the United States and other partners. Security experts have repeatedly highlighted Japan’s digital infrastructure weaknesses as the nation becomes more integrated into international security frameworks.

The leaders also emphasized the urgent need to secure supply chains for critical minerals, a growing concern as global export restrictions tighten. “We agreed that it is urgent for like-minded countries to work together to strengthen supply chain resilience,” Takaichi noted.

Critical minerals, including rare earth elements, have become increasingly strategic resources in the global economy. While 17 elements are classified as rare earths, the broader category of critical minerals – which the U.S. government has expanded to include approximately 50 different materials – are essential components for advanced technologies, renewable energy systems, and defense applications.

China currently dominates the global production and processing of many of these minerals, creating vulnerability for nations like Japan and Britain that depend on these resources for their high-tech industries and defense sectors.

The meeting reflects Japan’s evolving security strategy. While the United States remains Japan’s only treaty ally, Tokyo has been diversifying its strategic partnerships with friendly nations like Australia and Britain in response to perceived uncertainties about Washington’s long-term security commitments in the region.

Both prime ministers agreed to collaborate on building more diversified supply chains beyond critical minerals and to support institutions that foster a free and predictable multilateral trade system. This includes efforts to expand the 12-nation Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and enhance collaboration with the European Union.

“I hope to elevate Japan-British relations even higher,” Takaichi said, signaling Japan’s commitment to strengthening this strategic partnership.

The agreement comes as both nations navigate an increasingly complex geopolitical landscape in which economic security has become inseparable from national security. By combining their technological capabilities and diplomatic influence, Japan and Britain aim to reduce their vulnerabilities to supply chain disruptions and cyber threats while maintaining productive but cautious relationships with China.

This enhanced cooperation between two of the world’s leading democracies and major economies reflects the broader realignment of international partnerships occurring across the Indo-Pacific region as nations respond to shifting power dynamics and emerging security challenges.