China and Japan

Lord McConnell of Glenscorrodale Excerpts

Wednesday 4th February 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Smith of Basildon (Lab)]

I must say to the noble Lord that I am responsible for many things, but the timing of our debates is a matter not for me but for the Chief Whip, who might not appreciate me saying what the timing could be. I will say to the noble Earl that we are in discussion with the Americans, as we have been throughout on this, but I have never, in all my time in this House, known a party table a Motion at ping-pong to delay ping-pong. That I think is unprecedented. On the substance of his point, yes, we are engaged with the Americans and we look forward to bringing the Motion forward in due course.

[Lord McConnell of Glenscorrodale (Lab)]

My Lords, as chair of the UK-Japan 21st Century Group, I warmly welcome the Prime Minister’s visit to Japan, following his visit to China and emphasise how important it is that we visit, link up with, negotiate with and do deals with our best friends, as well as those who are more challenging. In particular, can I ask whether the Prime Minister, during his visit to Japan, discussed with the Prime Minister of Japan the refreshing of the Hiroshima Accord that was established by Prime Minister Sunak and which has forged a new partnership between this country and Japan that is leading to significant investment, very good co-operation on science and technology and strengthening defence globally?

[Baroness Smith of Basildon (Lab)]

I thank the noble Lord for his interest and his role in this. Japan has been a valued partner and it has been a very deep relationship, for instance with £33 billion in annual trade and 150,000 jobs created. Japan is our closest security partner in Asia. On the noble Lord’s particular point about the Hiroshima Accord, I will look into that and come back to him. On a number of issues where we are in agreement, I would highlight the support Japan has given to Ukraine. Japan has been the fifth-largest provider of non-military assistance and it has been a key member of the coalition of the willing. I think that shows the strength. I would also say that most of us regard the Japanese ambassador, Ambassador Suzuki, with a great deal of affection. He has really taken the UK to his heart and the UK has taken him to our hearts.