On 26 February 2014, a Round Table discussion on the promotion of investment to the UK was held at 10 Downing Street. The meeting was attended by Prime Minister David Cameron, Lord Livingston, Minister of State for Trade and Investment, Lord Deighton, Commercial Secretary to the Treasury, Keiichi Hayashi, Ambassador of Japan to the UK, and 18 representatives from key Japanese companies based in the UK, including those from the automotive industry, infrastructure (nuclear power, railways, and renewable energy), the medical and pharmaceutical industry, and trading.

This was the first time for the British Prime Minister to hold such a meeting exclusively dedicated to Japanese companies.

Photograph: Kyodo News

Photograph: Embassy of Japan

A high level of Japanese investment in the UK has been maintained since Prime Minister Cameron’s visit to Japan in April 2012, and the investment flow reached a record high last year, making the UK the second largest destination for Japanese investment  (after the US).

Prime Minister Cameron opened the meeting by welcoming such large Japanese investments as made in the sectors of railway infrastructure, nuclear power, and the medical and pharmaceutical industry. He also emphasized that the UK and Japan were key drivers of the Japan-EU Economic Partnership Agreement and had a conversation with the business representatives to hear their views and concerns.

Lord Livingston and Lord Deighton then conducted a lively discussion based on the concerns expressed by the Japanese companies to further improve the investment environment in the UK. They discussed the need for relaxation of regulations on the energy industry, immigration regulations, fund support, and skills improvement for employees.

Embassy of Japan