Why does Japan matter to the UK?

As Rishi Sunak heads to Hiroshima, he and his Japanese counterpart have much to discuss, says Sean O’Grady

Rishi Sunak inspects the guard of honour on Japanese aircraft carrier JS Izumo (AFP/Getty)

Rishi Sunak is in Tokyo to announce a new defence partnership with Japan and support £18bn of private business deals. He will then join in with the wider G7 talks with other leaders, from Canada, France, Germany, Italy and the United States. They’ll be focusing on strategy towards Russia and China, with an obvious focus on the war in Ukraine.

Mr Sunak hosted a business reception in Tokyo with his counterpart, Fumio Kishida, before travelling to Hiroshima, where he will sit down with allies including Joe Biden to discuss support for Ukraine in its fight against the Russian invasion.

On Friday, Mr Sunak will visit the A-bomb Dome to reflect on the nuclear devastation at the end of the Second World War.