Ambassador Suzuki’s visit to the West Midlands

From 17 to 18 February, Ambassador Hiroshi Suzuki visited the West Midlands and met with West Midlands Combined Authority Mayor Richard Parker, as well as with Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Councillor Aafar Iqbal MBE. He also visited the sites of Japanese businesses operating in the West Midlands and met with Japanese professional footballers currently playing for teams in the region.
 

Meeting with Mr Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands Combined Authority

On 17 February, Ambassador Suzuki met with Mr Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands Combined Authority. They exchanged a wide range of views on the West Midlands Local Industrial Strategy and the important of Japan-UK economic and cultural exchange.
 

Welcome dinner hosted by Mayor Parker and Mr Jeremy Dale

Also on 17 February, Ambassador Suzuki attended a welcome dinner hosted by Mayor Parker and Mr Jeremy Dale, Birmingham City CEO. Ambassador Suzuki reflected on the Japan-West Midlands relationship and expressed his hopes that the economic and cultural bonds between Japan and the West Midlands would continue to go from strength to strength.
Transcript of Ambassador’s remarks
 

Meeting with Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Councillor Zafar Iqbal MBE

On 18 February, Ambassador Suzuki met with Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Councillor Zafar Iqbal MBE for a wide-ranging discussion on the importance of cultural and economic exchange between Japan and Birmingham.
 

Visit to Ishida Europe

Also on 18 February, Ambassador Suzuki visited Ishida Europe to tour its production lines, quality control demonstration centre, and learn about its Sentinel 5.0 platform. Sentinel 5.0 uses AI insights to optimise food production lines, providing weighing, quality control, and packaging equipment for both food and non-food applications.
 

Visit to Birmingham City FC

On 17 February, Ambassador Suzuki visited the St. Andrew's @Knighthead Park Stadium with Mayor Parker and Mr Jeremy Dale, CEO of Birmingham City. He met with Birmingham City’s Japanese players, and they discussed the importance of the role of Japanese nationals engaged in cultural exchange in the region.