The UK has secured a major £7.5 billion investment from Japanese trading giant Sumitomo Corporation, boosting key sectors such as clean energy and infrastructure. The deal, signed in Tokyo

by Minister for Investment Baroness Poppy Gustafsson and Sumitomo executives, reinforces Britain’s status as a top global investment destination.

The partnership will channel funds into major offshore wind and hydrogen projects through 2035, aligning with the UK’s ambition to become a clean energy superpower and a global hub for sustainable investment.

Minister for Investment Baroness Poppy Gustafsson CBE said: 

“The UK is a top investment destination for Japanese businesses, so I’m delighted to be in Tokyo to sign this new collaboration with Sumitomo Corporation. This is yet another major vote of confidence in our economy and shows international backing for our modern Industrial Strategy, which shows our Plan for Change is working. 

We’re serious about clean energy as a key growth sector, and deals like this create high value jobs, encourage further investment into our world-leading industry and help boost economic growth right across the UK”.

Sumitomo’s Group CEO of Energy Transformation, Hajime Mori, highlighted the company’s ongoing commitment to UK decarbonisation efforts, stating the agreement will allow them to play a leading role in the country's clean energy transition. Hiroyuki Koike, General Manager for Europe, added that the UK’s pro-investment policies and stable environment make it an ideal partner.

The deal follows a recent Deloitte survey ranking the UK among the world’s most attractive investment destinations. It also supports the government’s Modern Industrial Strategy and 10-Year Infrastructure Strategy, aimed at removing barriers to investment and accelerating growth.

This announcement is part of a wider push to deepen trade and investment ties across the Asia-Pacific region—now worth over £135 billion annually. It builds on earlier agreements with Japan, including the UK-Japan Industrial Strategy Partnership and the UK’s entry into the CPTPP trade bloc, expected to deliver a long-term economic boost of £2 billion per year.

 Hajime Mori, Managing Executive Officer, Group CEO, Energy Transformation Business Group, Sumitomo Corporation said:

“We have made active investments in several business sectors in the UK, including decarbonisation and clean energy. Under the UK’s new industrial strategy, clean energy is designated as a priority sector. Through this agreement with Office for Investment, we will continue to leverage our strengths to drive growth in the clean energy sector in the UK”.

Hiroyuki Koike, Managing Executive Officer, General Manager for Europe, Sumitomo Corporation said:

“We are inspired by the UK government’s active promotion and support of private investment which has helped to improve the business environment in many areas.

We hope that this comprehensive MOU with the Office for Investment will further strengthen the relationship between the UK government and Sumitomo Corporation, and that we will contribute more to the development of the UK economy and society through our business”.

Baroness Gustafsson’s visit to South Korea and Japan this week aims to drive further investment into the UK from key Asia-Pacific partners.