Foreign Secretary David Lammy and Business Secretary Jonathon Reynolds are in Tokyo for ‘2+2’ (two ministers for the price of one) talks with their Japanese counterparts. The sessions are expected to be at least superficially productive, with hopeful talk of enhanced cooperation on security and strengthened economic ties (particularly on AI). Apparently, details of a new trade and defence deal, including plans to develop a new industrial strategy partnership between the 4th and 6th biggest economies in the world, will be announced, along with some hot air about an offshore wind project.
There is something faintly desperate in the idea that the UK can be of much help to Japan
The Foreign and Business Secretaries will probably enjoy themselves. A trip to Japan is always a good boondoggle. You are sure of a warm welcome and a smoothly conducted itinerary. Press conferences do not descend into bickering and the coverage is tightly controlled.
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