Ambassador Suzuki’s visit to Manchester

On 4 and 5 September, Ambassador Hiroshi Suzuki travelled to Manchester, where he attended the opening ceremony of the 50th Japan Week and the signing ceremony for the sister city agreement between Osaka City and Greater Manchester, as well as to observe a joint project between Manchester Metropolitan University and Panasonic.  

Visit to Manchester Metropolitan University and Site of Joint Project with Panasonic

On 4 September, Ambassador Suzuki visited Manchester Metropolitan University along with Hideyuki Yokoyama, Mayor of Osaka. He was updated on the latest research jointly conducted by the Fuel Cell Innovation Centre and Panasonic, as well as on initiatives related to sports engineering and health engineering at the Institute of Sport.
 

Attendance at the opening ceremony of the 50th Japan Week

On 5 September, Ambassador Suzuki attended the opening ceremony of the 50th Japan Week, together with Council Leader Bev Craig and members of the International Friendship Foundation. Japan Week is a week-long event showcasing traditional Japanese culture and providing tourist information. The Ambassador expressed his hope that the event would foster cultural exchange between Japan and Manchester, further deepening friendly relations..
 

Attendance at the Signing Ceremony for the Sister Cities Agreement between Osaka City and Greater Manchester

On 5 September, Ambassador Suzuki attended the Signing Ceremony for the Sister Cities Agreement between Osaka City and Greater Manchester. At the ceremony, Hideyuki Yokoyama, Mayor of Osaka, and Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, signed the Sister City agreement. While Hiroyuki Sakuragi, President of Osaka Metropolitan University, and Malcolm Press, Vice-Chancellor of Manchester Metropolitan University, also signed the Letter of Intent between the two universities. In his remarks, Ambassador Suzuki expressed his respect and gratitude for the commitment and leadership of both mayors which has made this partnership possible. He also stated that the Sister City Agreement united the two cities - each one half of the twin engines of industrial power in Japan and the UK - to advance resilient, sustainable local economies and communities, in turn driving prosperity on the national stage.