Japan and Britain step up cybersecurity and critical minerals cooperation as China’s influence grows – Firstpost
 "Japan and Britain step up cybersecurity and critical minerals cooperation as China’s influence grows – Firstpost")
Publish Date: 2026-01-31 11:18:00
Source Domain: www.firstpost.com
Japan and Britain agreed to accelerate cooperation on cybersecurity and critical minerals, strengthening security and economic resilience amid rising regional tensions and growing concerns over China’s influence in the Indo-Pacific.
Japan and the United Kingdom agreed on Saturday to fast-track cooperation on cybersecurity and the supply of critical minerals as concerns grow over China’s expanding influence in the Indo-Pacific region.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said his visit to Japan came at a moment of profound global disruption, marked by geopolitical, economic and technological shocks that are reshaping international relations.
Starmer’s overnight stop in Tokyo followed his visit to Beijing, where he held talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping and agreed to pursue a long-term, stable “strategic partnership.” The visit comes amid heightened tensions between Japan and China, particularly after comments by Japanese leader Sanae Takaichi on the possibility of Japan’s involvement should China take military action against Taiwan, the self-governed island claimed by Beijing.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Speaking at a joint press conference, Starmer said he and Takaichi had agreed to deepen collective security cooperation across the Atlantic and the Indo-Pacific, strengthen economic resilience, and launch a new cyber strategic partnership aimed at safeguarding their economies from growing digital threats.
Japan has been stepping up its cybersecurity as experts have raised concerns about its vulnerability, especially as the country accelerates its military buildup and works more closely with the United States and other partners.
Meanwhile, Takaichi, noting a growing concern about the global export restrictions on critical minerals, said “we agreed that it is urgent for the like-minded countries to work together” to strengthen supply chain resilience.
Critical minerals include rare earth elements. While 17 elements are classified as rare earth, the…
