Ambassador Suzuki hosts New Year Reception

2025/1/27
        


                        
On 27 January, Ambassador Hiroshi Suzuki hosted a reception at the Embassy of Japan to celebrate the New Year, the first such event in five years. The gathering saw the attendance of approximately 200 distinguished guests, including executives of Japanese associations, representatives from Japanese companies and press organisations, Japanese leaders actively engaging in the fields of academia, culture and the arts, British people promoting their country’s relationship with Japan in such areas, and former British Ambassadors to Japan.

In his opening remarks, Ambassador Suzuki expressed his great appreciation for the efforts of the many Japanese people who are actively contributing to the strengthening of bilateral ties in various fields and regions in the UK.

The Ambassador referred to the opening event of “Wales and Japan 2025” in Wales, and Japanese Defence Minister Nakatani’s visit to the UK at the beginning of the year. He also spoke about his expectations concerning the Japan-UK Economic 2+2 Ministers’ Meeting that is expected to be held this year, as well as Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai, which will open this April. Among other key events mentioned were the visit to Japan this year of the UK Carrier Strike Group spearheaded by HMS Prince of Wales, the National Ballet of Japan’s performances in London in July, the Japan Women’s National Rugby Team’s participation in the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 in England from August to September, the Grand Sumo Tournament to be held in London in October, and Japan Matsuri in the autumn.

Finally, Ambassador Suzuki called for closer cooperation in (1) diplomacy and security, (2) the economy and (3) cultural and people-to-people exchanges , the key areas for making the Japan-UK relationship even more robust. Furthermore, he declared that the Embassy would continue to provide maximum support for Japanese residents in the UK regarding the diverse challenges they face.

Mr Yukinobu Nakano, Chairman of the Japan Club, also made a toast giving an impassioned message on how Japanese residents in the UK can play an even more active role in strengthening and developing the close relationship between Japan and the UK.