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Japanese PM Shinzo Abe to meet Prime Minister in Downing Street and agree
pioneering collaboration on medical research, robotics and use
of data
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Two leaders renew commitment to an enhanced bilateral
trading relationship to seize the economic opportunities ahead
as Britain leaves the EU
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Japan scraps trade ban on British beef and lamb -
creating export opportunities worth over £120 million over five
years to British farmers
The UK and Japan will announce an ambitious
programme – and £30m of initial funding - for cutting-edge
technology to boost innovation, create high-skilled jobs and
improve people’s quality of life.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will today (Thu 10 Jan) meet
Prime Minister for their first talks in
Downing Street, following her successful visit to Tokyo and Kyoto
last year.
For the first time British and Japanese researchers and industry
experts will work side by side on projects to tackle the Grand
Challenges identified by the UK’s modern Industrial Strategy and
Japan’s Society 5.0.
These include designing robotic systems to allow our ageing
populations to live independently in their home for longer,
finding new treatments for chronic conditions like dementia and
heart failure, and new forms of greener transport and energy
storing to ensure a cleaner world for future
generations.
Figures show wider adoption of such technology could create
175,000 new jobs and boost the UK manufacturing sector by £455bn
over the next decade.
The UK and Japan will also explore how businesses and innovators
can use big data legally, ethically and safely in the
future.
In their talks, the leaders will discuss the
economic opportunities that exist for both nations as the UK
leaves the European Union.
Following positive discussions at the G20 in Buenos Aires, Prime
Minister Abe will reiterate Japan’s commitment to an ambitious
bilateral arrangement with the UK, building on the agreement
between Japan and the EU. This will give businesses stability,
support jobs, and ensure greater choice and lower prices for
consumers.
Japan will also scrap the existing export ban on British beef and
lamb, in place since 1996, worth £127 million to British farmers
over five years.
Ahead of today’s visit, Prime Minister said:
“The UK and Japan are natural partners. We face many of the same
challenges. But also the same immense opportunities. By agreeing
to forge a new, dynamic partnership, we not only back some of the
most cutting-edge sectors in our economy, but will also improve
people’s lives and shape the 21st Century for the better. This is
our modern Industrial Strategy in action.”
“As the UK prepares to leave the EU, we raise our horizons
towards the rest of the world. Our relationship with Japan is
stronger than ever, and this visit will enhance co-operation in a
wide range of areas. From trade and investment, to science and
innovation, and our unwavering commitment to defence and security
- the close bond between our nations will help us achieve our
shared goals.”
Prime Minister Abe will receive a military Guard of Honour for
the first time ahead of bilateral talks in Downing Street. The
two leaders will also attend a briefing chaired by Security
Minister where senior representatives
from emergency services will share the UK’s experience of hosting
large international events ahead of this year’s Rugby World Cup
and 2020 Olympics in Japan.
The UK and Japan will also agree to:
- Build on last year’s Joint Declaration that stepped up our
defence and security partnership. The UK will increase the number
of combined exercises between our defence forces and strengthen
maritime co-operation.
- Deploy HMS to Japan in early 2019, to
enforce sanctions against the DPRK as part of our joint
determination to a peaceful resolution to tension in the region
and the complete denuclearisation of North Korea.
- Collaborate on new defence technologies, including
co-operation on future combat aircraft, missile development and
autonomous systems that will ensure our forces remain an
effective deterrent, as well as supporting high-skilled jobs.
- Strengthen cultural ties, with the National Gallery sending a
major exhibition of its masterpieces to Japan – including the
famous ‘Sunflowers’ by Vincent Van Gogh – as part of a year-long
UK-Japan Season of Culture starting next September.
