Ambassador Hayashi hosts the Japanese British Lawyers Networking Reception 2022

On 16 November, Ambassador and Madame Hayashi co-hosted the Japanese British Lawyers Networking Reception 2022 with the British Japanese Law Association (BJLA). The Japanese British Lawyers Networking Reception has been held to promote mutual understanding and interaction between Japanese and British lawyers, and this reception took place after an almost three year break due to the pandemic.

In his opening remarks, Ambassador Hayashi conveyed his gratitude for each participant’s cooperation in strengthening the partnership in the legal field between Japan and the UK, and stated that lawyers in the two countries should deepen their interactions and develop mutual understanding to further address current threats against fundamental values such as the rule of law, democracy alongside threats to fundamental freedoms. Ambassador Hayashi also expressed his intent that the Embassy will continue its endeavours to strengthen and promote good relationships and mutual understanding within the legal field.

Professor Chizu Nakajima and Mr Scott Hopkins, co-chairs of BJLA, gave their appreciation for the Embassy's activities in this field as well as their thanks to British lawyers who have welcomed visiting Japanese lawyers and legal scholars, and said that they will continue the BJLA’s work to accelerate interactions and exchanges between Japanese and British lawyers.

Lady Arden of Heswall, a former Justice of the UK Supreme Court, who was conferred the Order of Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star by the Japanese Government this Spring, gave an address in which she spoke of how Japan and the UK’s legal fields share fundamental values, and stated that it is important to protect the rule of law and the international order collectively, through furthering international legal understanding and collaborative learning.

Around 150 participants joined this reception, with guests comprising of the most senior British justices alongside prosecutors, lawyers, members of House of Lords, the UK Government including at the ministerial level, academia, as well as Japanese judges, prosecutors and lawyers who reside or stay in the UK.