Tokyo, Jan 31 (AP) Japan and Britain agreed Saturday to accelerate cooperation on cybersecurity and the supply of critical minerals, as China's influence grows in the region.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said his visit to Japan comes at a time “when geopolitical, economic and technological shocks are literally shaking the world.” Starmer's overnight Tokyo visit comes on the heels of his trip to Beijing, where he and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed to seek a long-term, stable “strategic partnership." Japan has faced growing tension from China since a comment by the country's leader Sanae Takaichi about a possible Japanese involvement in the case of Chinese military action against Taiwan, the self-governing island Beijing claims as its own.

He told a joint news conference that he and Takaichi agreed during their talks to strengthen collective security across the Atlantic and the Indo-Pacific, while boosting growth and economic resilience, and to launch a new cyber strategic partnership “to improve our cybersecurity to protect our economy.” Japan has been stepping up its cybersecurity as experts have raised concerns about its vulnerability, especially as the country accelerates its military buildup and works more closely with the United States and other partners.

Meanwhile, Takaichi, noting a growing concern about the global export restrictions on critical minerals, said “we agreed that it is urgent for the like-minded countries to work together” to strengthen supply chain resilience.

Critical minerals include rare earth elements. While 17 elements are classified as rare earth, the US government has identified 50 minerals overall that are labeled critical minerals, which also include a number of other minerals that are seen as essential to the economic and military strength of the nation.

Japan's only treaty ally is the US, and, in response to uncertainty over Washington's security commitment in the region, the East Asian country has been expanding and stepping up its partnership with other friendly nations, such as Australia and Britain.

As major trading and defense partners, Japan and Britain agreed to cooperate in building more diversified supply chains in critical minerals and other areas, he said. The two sides will work together to support institutions for a free and predictable multilateral trade system, including expanding the 12-nation Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership and its collaboration with the EU.

“I hope to elevate Japan-British relations even higher,” Takaichi said. (AP) GSP