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UK Minister for Asia, Amanda Milling visited Tokyo this week (12 to 14 October), to forge deeper bilateral ties between the UK and Japan focused on economic and security issues.

During her visit, Minister Milling met State Minister for Foreign Affairs Ms Takako Suzuki. They discussed shared priorities for the Indo-Pacific region, including as Dialogue Partners of ASEAN, as well as Japan鈥檚 support for the UK to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership 鈥� a trading bloc comprising some of the world鈥檚 biggest economies.

Amanda Milling鈥檚 visit to Japan was part of a 3-country tour of the region, following visits to the Philippines and Singapore.

UK Minister for Asia, Amanda Milling, said:

Japan is one of the UK鈥檚 closest partners. We work side by side to promote freedom and democracy as well as protecting security and stability in the Indo-Pacific.

From defence cooperation, to climate change and trade and investment, our deep and diverse partnership with Japan is demonstrated every day.

On Tuesday, the Minister met Japanese Vice-Minister for Global Environmental Affairs, Yutaka Shoda, emphasising our commitment to delivering ambitious climate action at COP26, and met influential business federation The Keidanren to discuss trade, investment and building back better from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Minister also met academics from 3 of Tokyo鈥檚 top universities to discuss the UK鈥檚 commitment to the Indo-Pacific, as well as wider foreign policy and regional issues. The visit comes at a time of growing defence and security cooperation with Japan, as the UK鈥檚 Carrier Strike Group led by the HMS Queen Elizabeth returns from its maiden visit to the Indo-Pacific region.