Starmer defends 'weak and meek' China trip as he pivots to Japan alliance

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer attends a ceremonial guard of honour with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in Tokyo (Carl Court/PA) Carl Court

Sir Keir Starmer invited Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to Chequers during a flying visit to Japan this weekend, capping off a controversial four-day trip to China that drew fierce criticism from opposition parties and security hawks. The invitation is conditional on Takaichi winning her election on February 8.

The UK Prime Minister met Takaichi for 20 minutes in Tokyo on Saturday, followed by a working dinner. Starmer is seeking to secure new business deals and security guarantees with Japan while defending his China engagement against accusations of "weak and meek behaviour" from critics including former Japanese ambassador to Australia Shingo Yamagami.

China trip delivers results amid backlash

Starmer's China visit resulted in concrete outcomes: Beijing lifted sanctions on UK parliamentarians, reduced tariffs on whisky, and introduced visa-free travel for British citizens. UK companies secured major deals, including an £11bn investment package by AstraZeneca for research in China and a partnership between Octopus Energy and state-backed utility PCG Power.

But the trip sparked intense criticism. Liberal Democrats' Daisy Cooper accused Starmer of traveling "cap in hand," while Tory leader Kemi Badenoch claimed he went "from a position of weakness." Badenoch posted on X: "The analysis that his visit to China undermines deterrence, emboldens authoritarians and invites their adventurism is one I completely agree with."

Yamagami also posted on X, criticizing the Prime Minister's "weak and meek behaviour." President Trump stated that building closer relations with China was "dangerous."

UK-Japan partnership and shared priorities

Speaking on a plane from Shanghai to Tokyo, Starmer called the Japan visit "really important." He told reporters: "Outside of Europe and the US, Japan is the biggest investor into our economy and there's 1,000 Japanese businesses supporting, I think, 150,000 jobs in the UK. So, there's a lot for us to discuss."

After the Saturday meeting, Starmer said: "I look forward to our dinner in a moment, and to the meeting that I hope we will have in Chequers. We share vital interests and principles, but more than that we share an ambition for this partnership which can deliver real benefits for both nations. I look forward to driving that forward together."

Discussions covered cooperation towards a free and open Indo-Pacific, Ukraine, the Middle East, cybersecurity, bolstering critical minerals supply chains, and joint development of new generation fighter jets. Starmer emphasized the response to turbulent global affairs should be "one of strength and clarity" and noted "a clear interest in free and predictable trade" between the two countries.

Takaichi, who assumed power in October last year, said: "In order to build a new era of Japan-UK relations amid the complex crises facing the international community in the 21st century, I would like to work ever more closely with Prime Minister Keir." She also remarked he was "very fit."

Defending China engagement

Starmer defended his approach to China, arguing engagement was not "foolhardy" despite the criticism. The trip came after months of security alerts around cyber attacks and hacking, and a collapsed spy case involving two researchers. The approval of a new Chinese embassy near the City of London also sparked controversy.

The Prime Minister traveled with more than 50 business and cultural leaders.

Takaichi's Liberal Democrats party, which held power for all but six of the last 70 years, appears set to return to power after next month's election.

Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).