Rishi Sunak lands in Japan with his wife for Hiroshima G7 summit trends now
Rishi Sunak and his wife Akshata Murthy have landed in Tokyo ahead of the G7 Summit as Downing Street revealed Britain will send an aircraft carrier back to the Pacific as part of a Carrier Strike Group in 2025.
Mr Sunak said the returning Carrier Strike Group would 'work alongside the Japanese Self Defense Forces and other regional partners to help defend peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific'. The HMS Queen Elizabeth passed through Asia in 2021, making port calls in Japan.
The Prime Minister received a guard of honour from the Japanese navy on the JS Izumo aircraft carrier in the Yokosuka naval base near Tokyo.
Sailors played the British and Japanese national anthems for Mr Sunak and defence minister Toshiro Ino.
It comes as the PM will sign a microchip deal with Japan today to help protect supplies from potential disruption by China.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his wife Akshata Murty leaving their plane as they arrive at Tokyo Aiport
The PM will sign a microchip deal with Japan today to help protect supplies from potential disruption by China
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak inspected a guard of honour with vice defence minister, Toshiro Ino (far left)
The deal will include a new 'semiconductor partnership' to help protect supplies of microchips amid a global shortage.
The move reflects mounting concern about Chinese aggression towards Taiwan, which is the global centre for the production of advanced semiconductors.
Ministers are expected to publish a dedicated semiconductor strategy on Friday setting out how vital supply chains will be protected.
Mr Sunak, who is in Japan for the G7 summit in Hiroshima, first stopped in Tokyo to visit a naval base where he announced Britain will double the number of UK troops in upcoming joint exercises.
London and Tokyo will also agree a formal 'consult clause', committing them to discuss regional and global security issues and measures.
The Prime Minister will meet in Hiroshima with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida later today, with the pair expected to announce the 'Hiroshima Accord'.
The agreement will cover deals on defence, trade, science and technology, and issues like climate change, Downing Street said, without giving further details.
Before his departure for Japan, Mr Sunak said the summit was coming 'at a pivotal moment' for the alliance as it faces 'complex threats to global peace and prosperity'.
He said Britain would 'galvanise international action on economic coercion by hostile states and shore up support for Ukraine'.
Mr Sunak left the UK under growing domestic political pressure following
