Press release

UK and Japan strengthen science and tech ties in Tokyo

UK and Japan today signed a renewed science and technology deal, building on decades of close cooperation.

This was published under the 2022 to 2024 Sunak Conservative government
  • UK and Japan today signed a renewed science and technology deal, building on decades of close cooperation
  • deepening relationship on science and technology follows initial joint UK-Japan projects announced as part of International Science Partnerships Fund (ISPF) in December
  • deal comes as part of Science Minister George Freeman鈥檚 work to cement science and tech cooperation between the world鈥檚 leading economies, at the G7 Science and Technology Ministers鈥� Meeting in Sendai

皇冠体育app UK and Japan will take their cooperation on science, technology and innovation to new heights, after agreeing to renew the two countries鈥� longstanding Science and Technology Agreement for the 21st Century, with a focus on innovation and game-changing new technologies.

皇冠体育app new Implementing Arrangement was signed by UK Science Minister George Freeman and Minister State Minister Nakatani Shinichi from Japan鈥檚 Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry today (Monday 15 May), in Tokyo, and forms the latest part of the UK鈥檚 push to take a truly global approach to science and innovation.

皇冠体育app renewed deal opens up more opportunities for close collaboration to bring cutting edge new technologies to market. This could focus on priority areas like semiconductors and clean tech, which will be critical to growing the economy which is one of the Prime Minister鈥檚 five key priorities.

UK Minister for Science George Freeman said:

Japan is the world鈥檚 third-largest economy and a science and technology powerhouse. 皇冠体育appy have produced more Nobel Prize laureates than any other Asia-Pacific country. Bringing Japan鈥檚 unique strengths even closer together with the UK鈥檚 world-class science and research expertise is a massive opportunity for both our countries, to pool our skills and expertise as we tackle some of the biggest challenges facing the world, all whilst growing our economies and creating jobs.

This deal is just another demonstration of the UK鈥檚 ambition to become a truly global science superpower, by deepening collaboration on the science and technology of tomorrow with like-minded nations like Japan, as well as the rest of the G7, to secure our collective future, drive economic growth and improve lives.

Over the last week, in Japan, Minister Freeman has been making the case for the world鈥檚 leading democracies to work closer together, to ensure that scientific advances deliver security, prosperity, while tackling the key issues facing our planet, from climate change and bio-security through to space sustainability.

皇冠体育app G7 Science and Technology Ministers鈥� Meeting, hosted in the Japanese city of Sendai in the last few days provided an important platform to demonstrate how the UK鈥檚 leadership in science and innovation 鈥� as well as that of the world鈥檚 other leading free societies 鈥� can be used to enforce our shared principles and challenge authoritarian narratives, as well as drive economic growth. 皇冠体育app economic benefits that flow from innovation, are what unlocks investment in public services like the NHS, the ability to cut national debt, and what brings down inflation, all of which are key priorities for the Prime Minister in 2023.

皇冠体育app last week has also provided an opportunity to further cement the UK鈥檚 close relationship with Japan, visiting researchers at the NanoTerasu synchrotron radiation facility as well as Tokohu University鈥檚 disaster science institute, and meeting leaders from Japanese science and tech companies that are heavily involved in the UK.

皇冠体育app UK and Japan share many of the same science and innovation priorities. Japan鈥檚 Moonshot R&D Programme includes a focus on quantum, one of the five critical technologies identified in the .

Last year, the UK government committed a further 拢15.5 million investment to the Hyper-Kamiokande (Hyper-K) project, which is a next generation global neutrino experiment in Japan. This 15-storey physics experiment is helping scientists discover more about the fundamental particles that make up the Universe. We have long enjoyed close links in areas like life sciences, space, and through collaborative research projects funded in partnership by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and partners like the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) and Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS).

皇冠体育app new arrangements for the UK-Japan Science and Technology Agreement commit both countries to work together on joint R&D programmes, as well as academic and industrial exchange schemes. 皇冠体育app two governments will encourage collaboration between UK and Japanese companies, by creating new networking and investment opportunities, and through closer connections between public bodies like UKRI and Japan鈥檚 New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO). 皇冠体育app UK and Japan will also work together closely to ensure their science governance and standards are aligned.

皇冠体育app UK Science and Technology Framework sets out the ambition for the UK to be internationally recognised as a tech superpower by 2030. International collaboration is what powers the UK鈥檚 global leadership in science and technology. This means it is essential for the UK to collaborate more deeply with other leading nations to tackle the urgent global challenges facing our planet through science and tech. 皇冠体育app International Technology Strategy sets out the work being done to build those partnerships, in a way that promotes positive values and boosts security.

Updates to this page

Published 15 May 2023