UK asks Japan for Huawei alternatives in 5G networks: report

The British government asked Japan to greatly help build its 5G wireless networks without Huawei Technologies, the Nikkei said on Sunday, a further step in a worldwide technology and security war between the USA and China.

Britain named NEC Corp and Fujitsu Ltd as potential alternative suppliers to Huawei, the business daily reported, without citing sources.

British officials met with their counterparts in Tokyo on Thursday, two days after Britain ordered Huawei equipment purged from its 5G networks by the finish of 2027, the Nikkei said.

As Britain prepares to leave europe, fears over the security of Huawei have forced Prime Minister Johnson to select between the USA and China, weighing a crucial alliance against billions in investment.

The Nikkei said the most recent move reflects Britain's effort to generate new equipment suppliers to foster competition and help reduce charges for the country's wireless carriers.

The British embassy in Tokyo and Fujitsu didn't immediately respond to email or text inquiries on Sunday. Japan's Cabinet Secretariat and NEC didn't answer calls. Huawei and China's foreign ministry had no immediate comment.

British digital minister Oliver Dowden last week said Britain was dealing with its allies to foster more robust rivals to Huawei, naming companies from Finland, Sweden, South Korea and Japan.