Parliament Event – Japanese Businesses and the UK’s Future Economy
Left photo: Mr Roger Godsiff MP, the Chairman of British-Japanese Parliamentary Group, Ambassador Tsuruoka, the Rt Hon Andrea Leadsom MP, Mr John Allan and Mr Yasuyuki Fujitani
On the evening of Tuesday 29 October 2019, the Embassy of Japan and British-Japanese Parliamentary Group co-hosted an event titled "Japanese Businesses and the UK's Future Economy" at Portcullis House in London.
This event was an opportunity to explore and acknowledge the contribution of Japanese investment for the future through cutting-edge and innovative technologies and collaboration with local societies. This significant investment continues to promote UK economic growth and boost its international competitiveness.
Around 130 guests attended the reception, with approximately 40 MPs and Lords, including the Rt Hon James Cleverly MP, Chair of the Conservative Party, key representatives from UK government and industry, and around 60 Japanese business leaders, creating an invaluable platform for networking and discussions on opportunities for business partnerships.
The event featured keynote speeches from the Ambassador Tsuruoka, the Rt Hon Andrea Leadsom MP, Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Mr John Allan, President of the CBI, and Mr Yasuyuki Fujitani, President of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the UK.
During his opening remarks, Ambassador Tsuruoka highlighted the success of many Japanese companies in the UK and insisted that this would not change in the future after Brexit. He emphasised how highly Japanese companies value the business friendly environment in the UK, and pointed out the how UK has continuously received far greater investment from Japan than any other country in Europe. He requested the British government to continue to ensure that Japanese businesses can operate comfortably in the UK after Brexit.
In her speech, The Rt Hon Andrea Leadsom MP, Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy also pointed out the many positive activities of Japanese companies in the UK from car industries to new technologies which address the ageing population, climate change and other key issues, and said: "My government wants to build upon successes like these, and we’re listening to Japanese and British businesses – and what they want to see in a bilateral trade deal… If there's one country that has always believed that – with hard work and dedication – nothing is impossible, it's Japan."
She also encouraged Japanese businesses to contribute to the UK Government's 'Call for Input’, where the government are consulting with all business to help tailor the approach to a future UK-Japan trading relationship post-Brexit.
Mr Allan and Mr Fujitani also provided valuable insights into the opportunities and challenges facing UK and Japanese industry respectively, and looked ahead to maintaining and strengthening the close bond between the Japanese and UK business communities to work together even closer in the future.
This was the fifth Parliament Event held by the Embassy of Japan, following previous successful events annually since 2015.
For more details please see below:
- Transcript of Ambassador Tsuruoka’s speech
- Transcript of Secretary of State Leadsom’s speech
The Embassy of Japan