PM expected to unveil Hiroshima accord at meeting with Japan’s Fumio Kishida amid fears of China’s rising militarisation
Rishi Sunak will seek to build a stronger defence with Japan amid fears of China’s rising militarisation as he travels to Tokyo and Hiroshima for the G7 summit.
The prime minister will be accompanied by his wife, Akshata Murty, on their first official visit since he entered No 10 for the meeting of leaders from the US, France, Germany, Canada, Japan, Italy and the EU.
Sunak is expected to unveil the Hiroshima accord, an agreement with Japan aimed at stepping up defence cooperation and improving supply chains, when he meets the prime minister, Fumio Kishida, in Tokyo.
A core element of their discussions will be ensuring the supply of semiconductors – a crucial part of laptops, smartphones, cars, TVs and many medical devices – as most are made in Taiwan. China sees Taiwan as part of its territory and has been conducting military exercises in the area. The US has warned a Chinese invasion of Taiwan would affect “literally every country on earth” owing to its central role in semiconductor production.
Before the G7 addresses global security, the UK and Japan will sign a “semiconductor partnership” aimed at trying to improve domestic production in their countries, and pledging to exchange skills and pursue new developments. The UK government is preparing a £1bn semiconductor strategy aimed at bolstering resilience in the face of threats to the supply chain.
