Ambassador Tsuruoka honours Professor Chizu Nakajima and Mr Scott Hopkins

On 26 July 2018, Professor Chizu Nakajima and Mr Scott Hopkins were awarded a Commendation by Ambassador Tsuruoka for their distinguished contribution as co-chairpersons of the British Japanese Law Association (BJLA) in developing the friendship and mutual understanding that exists between Japan and the United Kingdom.
 

The BJLA was established in 1998 to promote fellowship and good understanding, and to improve relations, between the legal professions in Japan and the UK. The BJLA has facilitated the exchange of knowledge and experience between our two countries by assisting those who are engaged in the administration of justice and the practice and study of law in the UK and Japan and by organising various events aimed at promoting cooperation.

In addition to her contribution as co-chairperson of the BJLA, Professor Nakajima contributed as a co-organiser of the Cambridge International Economic Crime Symposium and has helped to enhance Japan’s international presence by organising sessions on Japan and arranging keynote speeches by senior officials from the Ministry of Justice and from the Japanese Prosecutors’ Offices. Moreover, she serves as a member of the steering committee for Japan House, which opened on 21 June this year.

Mr Hopkins has pursued a successful career as a commercial lawyer for the law firm Skadden, based in London. He has represented many Japanese clients concerning their investments in the UK and elsewhere in Europe, such as Nikkei in relation to its acquisition of the Financial Times and Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance regarding its purchase of Amlin, as well as Toshiba in connection with Westinghouse.

Professor Nakajima and Mr Hopkins thanked the Ambassador and paid tribute to the committee members of the BJLA who have been working with them. They stressed the importance of legal cooperation between Japan and the UK – two countries which share a strong belief in the Rule of Law.

Speeches by: Ambassador Tsuruoka, Prof Nakajima and Mr Hopkins


 

The Embassy of Japan