British PM Sir Keir Starmer and Japanese PM Shigeru Ishiba in Brazil on November 18, 2024. (©Prime Minister's Office)
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba demonstrated his skill as the nation’s top representative during a series of high-level discussions in Brazil on November 18-19.
He arrived at the G20 summit soon after taking part in an APEC event in Peru. While there, he met Joe Biden, Xi Jinping, and the South Korean President, Yoon Suk-yeol.
In the Brazilian capital of Rio de Janeiro, Mr Ishiba made it a priority to talk with the British prime minister, Sir Keir Starmer. This led to agreements across a range of policy areas, including defense and trade.
Sir Keir and Mr Ishiba agreed that now is the time to double down on support for Ukraine. They noted Vladimir Putin’s “increasing desperation,” signaled by his decision to deploy North Korean troops in his illegal invasion.
They also said that Euro-Atlantic security and that of the Indo-Pacific are indivisible in this time of increased global volatility. Their message echoes warnings by Ishiba’s predecessor, Fumio Kishida. He cautioned that the war in Ukraine could foreshadow a crisis in East Asia.
Sir Keir reiterated his commitment to the partnership between Japan, the UK, and Italy to build a new generation of fighter jets through the Global Combat Air Program. He said these aircraft will be crucial for keeping people safe and secure for generations to come.
Watching China
Away from the glare of the television cameras, the teams surrounding the British and Japanese leaders used the G20 summit in Brazil to compare notes on two major global powers, China and the United States.
PM Starmer is coaxing the British government towards a diplomatic thaw with China. He is offering a “serious, pragmatic” relationship, rather than hostility.
In talks with Xi Jinping in Rio, Sir Keir noted that the value of British exports to China has risen significantly in recent years. Britain - like Japan - is also an attractive destination for Chinese tourists.
Japan’s extensive trade links with China mean that Mr Ishiba is required to consider business interests, as well as security issues.
That does not mean he can ignore China’s threatening behavior toward Japan and its region. Chinese actions around the Senkaku Islands and its belligerent rhetoric towards Taiwan in particular have his government's attention. He raised both issues in Peru when he and Xi Jinping met on November 15.
Awaiting President Trump
The governments of Britain and Japan aim to deepen their partnership with each other as they await the inauguration of Donald Trump. Economic cooperation is seen as a way of countering a more protectionist approach by America.
Ahead of his election victory, Mr Trump indicated that he plans to impose tariffs on all imports to the US. Those include goods and services supplied by friendly countries. He also said that Chinese imports would be subject to import duties of at least 60 percent. That could potentially trigger another trade war.
Uncertainty about the US-China relationship is a worry for Japanese businesses. There have been pessimistic forecasts on the performance of shares in some companies.
Talking with Trudeau
As well as meeting the British PM, Ishiba also held a bilateral meeting in Rio with the Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau. The two leaders pledged cooperation on green energy initiatives. They also said they will aim to coordinate their approach towards North Korea.
Trudeau described Japan as a key partner in the Indo-Pacific and noted the ongoing need for advancing security cooperation.
Helping Brazil
PM Ishiba used some of his time in Brazil to share ideas on important international issues for Japan.
He participated in the launch of the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty. In addition, he put his name on a letter published in the Brazilian media. In it, Ishiba noted that Japan and Brazil have been jointly fighting hunger and poverty for many years.
He explained that Japan is the first Asian country to contribute to the Amazon Fund. That is the fund helping to combat illegal deforestation in the rainforest.
Satellites supplied by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency provide data that helps the authorities in Brazil decide how best to respond to those environmental threats.
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Author: Duncan Bartlett, Diplomatic Correspondent
Mr Bartlett is the Diplomatic Correspondent for JAPAN Forward and a Research Associate at the SOAS China Institute. Read his other articles and essays.
