The Faraday Institution and the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) have signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) to deepen UK-Japan collaboration in battery research and related enabling technologies under JST’s Green Technologies of Excellence (GteX) Programme.

The MoC was signed by Dr Hashimoto Kazuhito, President, Japan Science and Technology Agency, and Professor Martin Freer, CEO, the Faraday Institution, at a ceremony held on 14 June 2026 at Number 10 Downing Street.

The signing coincides with a visit by the Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae to the UK to hold bilateral talks with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer ahead of the G7 summit in France.

Professor Martin Freer, CEO of the Faraday Institution, said:
“Today’s agreement builds on the success of our earlier UK-Japan fellowship programme and marks an important next step in our partnership with JST. By connecting outstanding researchers, facilities and ideas across our two countries, we can accelerate the development of the batteries and energy storage technologies needed for a competitive future.”

Dr Hashimoto Kazuhito, President of JST, said:
“This Memorandum of Cooperation with the Faraday Institution reflects our shared ambition to advance world‑leading battery research through international collaboration. We look forward to deepening our engagement with UK partners and creating new opportunities for researchers in both countries.”

Dr Valentina Gentili, Director of the Battery Innovation Programme, Innovate UK, said:
“This collaboration is a good example of the Modern Industrial Strategy in action. Prioritising strategic international partnerships and innovation through joint research and technology development will drive deeper economic ties for mutual supply chain resilience.”

Building on the successful UK-Japan Energy Storage Research Fellowships, previously funded by the UK Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and jointly developed by GteX and the Faraday Institution, the new MoC provides a framework for longer-term scientific cooperation between the two organisations. The fellowships have already helped to create strong links between UK and Japanese researchers, laboratories and partner institutions, demonstrating the value of targeted researcher mobility and joint activity.

Under the MoC, the Faraday Institution and JST intend to explore a range of collaborative activities, including researcher exchanges, shared access to facilities where feasible, joint thematic workshops and expert meetings, and the co-development of collaborative projects and roadmaps in areas such as next‑generation battery chemistries. The MoC signals a shared commitment to support excellent science, talent development and international connectivity across the battery innovation ecosystem.

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