From 8 April to 9 April, Ambassador Hiroshi Suzuki visited Manchester, where he met with Mayor Andy Burnham and attended a dinner reception with local representatives, arranged by Honorary Consul Jo Ahmed. He also had a tour of Manchester City football club and spoke with its Japanese women football players. Ambassador also had discussions over lunch with representatives from Manchester’s universities, and visited vinegar and sauce Japanese manufacturer Mizkan’s factory in Manchester.
Meeting with Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester
On 9 April, Ambassador Suzuki met with The Rt Hon Andy Burnham, The Mayor of Greater Manchester, to discuss the progress and strengthening of economic and cultural exchange between Japan and the UK. They also exchanged views on Greater Manchester’s delegation to the Osaka Kansai Expo and Manchester’s 'Japan Week' beginning in September.
Reception with Local Delegates
On 8 April, Ambassador Suzuki attended a reception hosted by Honorary Consul Jo Ahmed and Deloitte with Mayor of Salford Paul Dennett and representatives from Japanese companies, Manchester’s universities. In his speech, Ambassador Suzuki reflected on the beginning of Japan-Manchester relations in the nineteenth century and expressed his appreciation for all those who have made efforts to continue to deepen the economic and cultural ties betweenthe city and Japan. He also touched on the opening of the Osaka Kansai Expo on 13 April and Mayor Andy Burnham’s upcoming delegation, expressing his hopes that the Expo will provide further opportunity for collaboration between Japan and Manchester.
Manchester City Football Club Tour and Meeting with Japanese Women Football Players
Ambassador Suzuki visited Manchester City Football Club on 9 April and had a tour of the stadium. He also spoke with Japanese players including Ms Ayaka Yamashita, Ms Risa Shimizu, Ms Aoba Fujino and Ms Aemu Oyama. He expressed his hopes that cultural exchange between Japan and the UK would continue to strengthen through sport.
Lunch Meeting with Representatives from Manchester’s Universities
On 9 April, Ambassador Suzuki visited the University of Manchester to have lunch with university representatives, including researchers from Japan. He expressed his hopes that Japanese Studies and academic exchange between Japan and the UK will continue to progress. Ambassador Suzuki also paid a visit to the Manchester Museum, one of the venues for the 50th 'Japan Week', and viewed the various exhibitions.
Visit to Mizkan
Also on 9 April, Ambassador Suzuki visited and toured the production facilities at Mizkan, the same factory that produces the nationally popular Sarsons malt vinegar. He noted that 'fermentation' is important in both Japanese and British food culture, and that fermented products like vinegar are indispensable in restaurants and on dinner tables across the UK.
