Japanese Business Federation (Keidanren) Delegation Visits the UK
2025/11/28
©Keidanren
©FCDO
©Keidanren
The Keidanren European Mission, consisting of 18 companies and 35 members, visited London from 26 to 28 November.
The mission was welcomed on 26 November by senior figures including the Rt Hon Yvette Cooper (Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs), the Rt Hon Ed Miliband (Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero), and Seema Malhotra MP (Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Indo-Pacific) in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office), with whom its members discussed the importance of maintaining a free, open, and fair economic order. The delegation then attended a roundtable discussion with the Directors General responsible for the UK’s industrial and trade strategy at the Department for Business and Trade, followed by a dinner hosted by Minister Malhotra.
On 27 November, the delegation met with the Rt Hon Heidi Alexander (Secretary of State for Transport) and shared with her perspectives on Japan-UK cooperation in areas such as automobiles, railways and aviation. The delegation then held a roundtable with the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), with the Rt Hon Peter Kyle (Secretary of State for Business and Trade) also present, to discuss various issues facing the global economy, including economic security. They also exchanged views on cooperation under the Japan-UK Industrial Strategic Partnership. The Keidanren and the CBI then issued a joint statement reaffirming their intention to continue dialogue between the Japanese and UK business communities. In addition, the delegation met with Lord Stockwood (Minister for Investment), and attended a reception hosted by Liam Byrne MP, Chair of the Business and Trade Committee, where they met with various UK government officials and business representatives.
On 28 November, the delegation participated in a tour of the UK Parliament and met with Lord Leong. They then attended a briefing on economic security.
The mission was welcomed on 26 November by senior figures including the Rt Hon Yvette Cooper (Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs), the Rt Hon Ed Miliband (Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero), and Seema Malhotra MP (Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Indo-Pacific) in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office), with whom its members discussed the importance of maintaining a free, open, and fair economic order. The delegation then attended a roundtable discussion with the Directors General responsible for the UK’s industrial and trade strategy at the Department for Business and Trade, followed by a dinner hosted by Minister Malhotra.
On 27 November, the delegation met with the Rt Hon Heidi Alexander (Secretary of State for Transport) and shared with her perspectives on Japan-UK cooperation in areas such as automobiles, railways and aviation. The delegation then held a roundtable with the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), with the Rt Hon Peter Kyle (Secretary of State for Business and Trade) also present, to discuss various issues facing the global economy, including economic security. They also exchanged views on cooperation under the Japan-UK Industrial Strategic Partnership. The Keidanren and the CBI then issued a joint statement reaffirming their intention to continue dialogue between the Japanese and UK business communities. In addition, the delegation met with Lord Stockwood (Minister for Investment), and attended a reception hosted by Liam Byrne MP, Chair of the Business and Trade Committee, where they met with various UK government officials and business representatives.
On 28 November, the delegation participated in a tour of the UK Parliament and met with Lord Leong. They then attended a briefing on economic security.