"The World and Japan" Database (Project Leader: TANAKA Akihiko)
Database of Japanese Politics and International Relations
National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS); Institute for Advanced Studies on Asia (IASA), The University of Tokyo

[Title] Japan-UK Strategic Cyber Partnership

[Place]
[Date] January 31, 2026
[Source] Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
[Notes]
[Full text]

Statement of intent

1. Cooperation on cyber security is an essential pillar of the modern Japan-UK relationship. The Governments of Japan and the United Kingdom (hereinafter referred to as the “Participants”) are committed to free, fair and secure cyberspace.

2. Building on the Japan-UK Cyber Partnership established as a part of “The Hiroshima Accord: an Enhanced Japan-UK Global Strategic Partnership” in 2023, the Participants concurred on upgrading their cyber cooperation into a Strategic Cyber Partnership. The Participants reaffirm the benefits of close collaboration, including on information sharing, developing technical standards, international law and norms, protecting critical national infrastructure, and the development and deployment of cyber technologies.

3. The Participants will use their available capabilities to deter the full range of cyber threats facing Japan and the United Kingdom.

Scope

4. The Japan-UK Strategic Cyber Partnership (hereinafter referred to as the “Strategic Partnership”) will provide an adaptable framework to pursue that goal. The Strategic Partnership will serve to intensify co-operation and delivery around shared opportunities and challenges with respect to cyber. It may support other specific bilateral initiatives by mutual consent, in addition to providing strategic direction on existing collaboration.

5. The framework will remain flexible in order to respond to any emerging issues relevant to the bilateral relationship. Co-operation will be intensified around three pillars:

i. Detect, deter and defend against cyber threats by sharing cyber threat intelligence and assessment, enhancing our cyber capabilities, leading international initiatives and delivering deterrence campaigns, including attributions. The Participants also intend to cooperate through official channels to share information and provide support when either of the Participants faces destructive, disruptive or otherwise destabilising malicious cyber incidents.

ii. Enhance whole-of-society cyber resilience by sharing best practice on critical infrastructure protection and supply chains, and promoting regulatory and standards alignment.

iii. Build a growth and innovation ecosystem by cooperation on cyber workforces and emerging technologies. The Participants also confirm that they will implement the cyber-related cooperation under the UK-Japan Industrial Strategy Partnership.

Governance

6. The Strategic Partnership will be governed through the Japan-UK Cyber Dialogue (hereinafter referred to as the “Cyber Dialogue”) to advance the full spectrum of cyber co-operation. The Cyber Dialogue is co-chaired by principals in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office with the participation of other respective ministries, departments and agencies with relevant policy interests.

Plan of action

7. The Strategic Partnership will be supplemented by an underlying Action Plan, which will detail the practical areas of cooperation and collaboration that the Participants will aim to pursue.

Non-binding

8. This document only shows the Participants’ intentions and does not constitute and is not intended to create any legally binding obligations under domestic or international law and will not be deemed to constitute or create any legally binding obligations or enforceable obligations, express or implied.