UK’s foreign minister says 'energy security is national security' during Japan visit

UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper and Japan’s Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi discussed strengthening cooperation on defence and economic security amid rising global energy concerns. Cooper warned that instability in the Strait of Hormuz is threatening energy supplies and broader national security worldwide.

Reuters

April 20, 2026

UK’s foreign minister says 'energy security is national security' during Japan visit

British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper looks on during an interview with Reuters, as she attends Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Antalya, Turkey, April 18, 2026.

Umit Bektas/Reuters

Visiting British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper met with Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi in on Monday (April 20) as the two countries continue cooperation in areas such as defence and economic security.

Cooper also met with British energy company Octopus Energy in Tokyo.

“The closure of the Strait of Hormuz is having an impact on energy security, economic security and national security across the globe,” she told reporters after the meeting. “Energy security is economic security, which is national security,” she added.

Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz fell sharply after Iran reimposed its closure of the waterway, vessel-tracking data taken on Monday showed, as concerns grew that the ceasefire between the United States and Iran might not hold.

Efforts to build a more lasting peace in the region likewise appeared to be on shaky ground, as Iran said it would not participate in a second round of negotiations that the U.S. had hoped to kick off before the ceasefire expires on Tuesday (April 21).

Production: Rikako Maruyama/Reuters