Transparency data

Memorandum of Cooperation between the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government of the UK and The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan, on Urban Policy

Published 7 October 2025

Memorandum of Cooperation   

between  

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

and

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan

on Urban Policy  

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (hereinafter referred to as the “UK”) (hereinafter referred to individually as a “Participant” and collectively as the “Participants”); 

Desiring to continue to strengthen and expand their cooperation in the fields of urban policy and its related issues, in a smooth and effective manner on the basis of equality, reciprocity and mutual benefit; 

Recognizing the willingness of Participants to share knowledge and experience as well as technical knowledge in the fields of urban policy and its related issues for the welfare of the people in their respective countries; 

Affirming such cooperation would serve the common interests and contribute to enhancing bilateral cooperation of their respective countries in the field of urban policy and its related issues; 

Pursuant to the prevailing laws and regulations of their respective countries; 

Have reached the following recognition: 

Section 1: Scope of cooperation 

The objective of this Memorandum of Cooperation (hereinafter referred to as “MoC”) is the exploration of solutions to problems of mutual concern and the exchange of information on policies, research, and programmes in this field in order to promote urban policy efforts for sustainable urban development; 

Section 2 

The scope of cooperation under the MoC is to exchange information and promote domestic policies, research and programmes in the following areas: 

• national and local systems and practices for urban planning
• green infrastructure in urban areas, including the promotion of green spaces and energy efficient buildings
• digitalisation and data in urban areas and their application for spatial planning, including the use of digital twin models, smart city services and data standardisation
• urban and regional revitalization, including measures to promote inclusiveness and innovation in cities

The scope of cooperation is in line with modification (as per Section 9) and may be broadened to include other areas of urban policy. 

Section 3: Cooperation methods 

Within the given authorities of the Participants and in line with the laws and regulations of their respective countries, the Participants will encourage and facilitate cooperation through appropriate methods, including but not limited to: 

• regular meetings (physical or virtual) between officials from the Participants, utilising the existing framework of international meetings, including the G7 Sustainable Urban Development track and OECD 
• coordination of exchange of information and knowledge through and between visiting students, the private sector, academic institutions and other third-party organisations from the Participant countries
• site visits to demonstrate real-world scenarios and best-practice where physical meetings in the Participant countries are possible

Section 4: Nature of this Memorandum 

The MoC sets forth the Participants’ intention to cooperate and does not create any legally binding rights and/or obligations under international law. 

Section 5: Implementation 

The implementation of the MoC will be arranged through a more detailed operational plan for each of the policy areas laid out in the Scope of Cooperation. This will be consented by the Participants and will be in line with the availability of funding. 

Section 6: Intellectual property benefits 

• any intellectual property brought by a Side for the implementation of the MoC will remain the property of that Side
• any intellectual property benefits resulting from activities under the MoC will be jointly owned and will be treated in line with a separate arrangement to be made between Participants

Section 7: Confidentiality 

• Each Side will observe the confidentiality and secrecy of documents, information and other data received from or supplied to the other Side directly or indirectly in the implementation of cooperation under the MoC. 
• Neither Side will disclose confidential information received from the other Side in cooperation under the MoC, without prior consent of the other Side. 

Section 8: Resolution of problems 

Any problem arising from the implementation of the MoC will be resolved amicably through consultation between the Participants. 

Section 9: Modification 

The MoC may be modified at any time by mutual written consent of the Participants. The modification will form a new integral part of MoC. 

Section 10: Commencement, duration and discontinuation 

• The MoC will commence upon the date of the signature by the representatives of Participants. 
• The MoC will continue for a period of 3 years and may be extended by mutual consent of Participants. Either Side may terminate the MoC at any time by giving written notice to the other side through diplomatic channels at least 6 months prior to the date of the intended discontinuation. 

Signed in duplicate, in London and Tokyo, on 18 June 2025, in English by:  

• Matthew Pennycook MP, Minister of State for Housing and Planning, for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG)
• H. E. Mr. Hiromasa Nakano, Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan (MLIT)