19 Mar 2025
by Clark Vasey

The UK and Japan – Building an Exemplar Bi-Lateral Tech Partnership

Since the signing of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in 2020, the shape of the bi-lateral relationship between the UK and Japan has transformed.  Economically, culturally and across our defence and security, the UK and Japan continue to move closer together to benefit both our countries and our long-term interests. In a changing world order and a with an ever more competitive international environment it is a relationship which makes total sense both strategically and economically.  

Tech is at the very heart of this relationship and will ultimately underpin everything that the two countries can hope to achieve together. The Hiroshima Accord signed in 2023 is the pinnacle of this partnership bringing our two countries together in the critical areas of defence, security, science, technology and in international cooperation.  But as His Majesty’s Ambassador to Japan, Julia Longbottom, said in her annual lecture to the Japan Society the Hiroshima Accord is not a static document, but something to be built upon. The Accord ultimately provides a foundation for everything we hope to do together.

Both Prime Minister Ishiba and Prime Minister Starmer have reaffirmed their commitment to the Accord and to further strengthening the relationship.  Under their Governments, we have seen significant developments which firmly shift the relationship further towards practical outcomes.  In November 2024 the Prime Ministers agreed to Economic 2+2 discussions, which significantly is an arrangement which Japan previously only had with the United States. 

With the Economic 2+2 taking place in Tokyo in March, the shift towards concrete activity arising from the relationship was tangible.  The UK and Japan have long recognised their complementary strengths across critical areas of technology.  The Digital Partnership signed in 2022 is already the most ambitious such bi-lateral partnership in digital and tech.  Whether it is UK design and Japanese manufacturing in semiconductors or matching Japanese advancements in super computing with the UK’s strengths in AI research and innovation, both sides can see the benefit in working more closely together. 

Key announcements coming out of the Economic 2+2 such as the joint call for proposals for a shared research project to advance human-centred AI by the UK's Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council and the Japan Science and Technology Agency and the Memorandum of Understanding on Quantum, will both lead to joint outputs.  How we build on this by giving greater scope for industry to take these innovations forward is how we will deliver long term benefits to both societies and create a lasting partnership where we feel the positive impact through investment, trade and jobs.

Through the UK Japan Tech Forum, convened by techUK and JEITA, the UK and Japanese tech sectors have come together to speak with one voice on the opportunities we see from closer cooperation. 

As we consider the announcements coming out of the Economic 2+2, as chair of the Forum I see two key developments which our sector has consistently pushed through the Forum.  The first is this welcome shift to follow through on high level agreements with practical collaboration which industry can support.  The second is that while there is much we can do together on key technology areas, ultimately tech is critical to every growth sector.  Tech is an enabler of every other sector in which the UK and Japan seeks to work more closely together from defence and finance to advanced manufacturing and automotive.  Softbank’s investment in Wayve to support self-driving cars is a case in point. 

The potential prize for both the UK and Japan from creating a truly unique tech partnership which touches on every aspect life is significant.  Together it is possible to build an exemplar bi-lateral tech partnership which it would be hard to conceive of any two countries building in a way which is truly balanced and so aligned to national interests.  Much has been achieved in recent years, but as we prepare for the start of the World Expo in Japan, with the UK promising to come build the future, it is what we can achieve in the coming years which should excite us all. 

For anyone interested in getting more involved or just learning more I would urge you to sign up for the next UK Japan Tech Forum on Friday 4 April -  find more information and sign up here.


techUK International Policy and Trade Programme activities

techUK supports members with their international trade plans and aspirations. We help members to understand market opportunities, tackle market access barriers, and build partnerships in their target market. Visit the programme page here.

 

 

Upcoming events

Latest news and insights 

President's Awards 2025 - Nominations Open!

Do you have a trailblazer in your team? Do you work with an innovator or a problem solver? Do you have an inspirational colleague who deserves the spotlight for their work? The President’s Awards are back for 2025 and open for nominations. All techUK members are encouraged to nominate one colleague.

Learn more and nominate

Learn more and get involved

 

International Policy and Trade updates

Sign-up to get the latest updates and opportunities from our International Policy and Trade programme.

 

Here are the five reasons to join the International Policy and Trade Programme

Download

Join techUK groups

techUK members can get involved in our work by joining our groups, and stay up to date with the latest meetings and opportunities in the programme.

Learn more

Become a techUK member

Our members develop strong networks, build meaningful partnerships and grow their businesses as we all work together to create a thriving environment where industry, government and stakeholders come together to realise the positive outcomes tech can deliver.

Learn more

Meet the team 

Sabina Ciofu

Sabina Ciofu

Associate Director – International, techUK

Daniel Clarke

Daniel Clarke

Policy Manager for International Policy and Trade, techUK

Theophile Maiziere

Theophile Maiziere

Policy Manager - EU, techUK

Lewis Walmesley-Browne

Lewis Walmesley-Browne

Head of Market Access and Consumer Tech, techUK

Tess Newton

Team Assistant, Policy and Public Affairs, techUK

 

 

Authors

Clark Vasey

Chair of the UK-Japan Tech Forum, Head of Corporate Affairs at Fujitsu UK