LONDON — Japanese companies have committed to investments worth more than £18 billion ($24 billion) in British infrastructure, offshore wind and financial services projects, according to announcements made by the British and Japanese governments during a visit by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to London on June 14. The agreements were unveiled alongside talks with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer aimed at strengthening economic and technology cooperation between the two countries.
The package includes a Japanese investment pipeline of more than £9 billion over five years for infrastructure and financial services, as well as plans intended to unlock up to £9 billion for offshore wind developments in the United Kingdom, according to statements from Downing Street and details released by both governments. Officials said the investments are expected to support major projects and create jobs across Britain.
The announcements came as Takaichi met Starmer ahead of the Group of Seven summit in France. Business leaders from both countries also participated in discussions focused on investment, advanced technology and industrial cooperation. The governments said more than 10 commercial and government agreements were expected to be signed during the visit.
According to the British government, the offshore wind component could support projects in Scotland and the Celtic Sea, while additional agreements involve cooperation in areas including artificial intelligence, semiconductors, quantum technologies and cybersecurity. Companies named by officials as participating in investment or collaboration initiatives include Hitachi Energy, Rolls-Royce and Eisai.
“These landmark agreements will bring multi-billion pound investment into the UK, creating tens of thousands of new jobs and driving new developments,” Starmer said in a statement released by his office.
Takaichi said the two countries had agreed to deepen cooperation in technology and security-related sectors, describing the relationship as an important partnership between major economies. British and Japanese officials also reaffirmed their commitment to joint projects including the Global Combat Air Programme, a next-generation fighter jet initiative involving the United Kingdom, Japan and Italy.
The investment commitments build on a series of recent UK-Japan economic agreements, including previous Japanese investments in British clean energy and infrastructure projects. Government officials from both countries said implementation of the newly announced projects and partnerships would continue in the coming months, although detailed timelines for several initiatives remain unclear.
