The Japan Society Annual Dinner 2026 (Members only)
Date
Friday 13 November 2026
Time
7.00 for 7.30pm
Venue
Members’ Dining Room
House of Commons
UK Parliament
London SW1A 0AA
Access information
Entrance: Via Cromwell Green Entrance - Click here for direction
Security information: Click here for information
Ballot Details
Our Annual Dinner is a special occasion to bring together our valued members for a memorable evening. As spaces are limited this year by the venue's capacity, we are holding a ballot to secure a seat and will restrict entry to members.
Ballot Deadline: Monday 28 September 2026
See the rules and enter the ballot below.
Annual Dinner: £145 per person*
*To facilitate younger members to attend the Annual Dinner, those under 30 who are successful in the ballot will receive a free membership in 2027. Please see the Booking Details below for further information.
Join us for The Japan Society Annual Dinner 2026 at Members' Dining Room in the House of Commons. It is our pleasure to reconnect with our esteemed members for an evening of great food and conversation.
Located in the House of Commons, the Members’ Dining Room is a historically significant venue, originally opened in 1871 to elevate dining within a prestigious setting. Inspired by the medieval ‘Painted Chamber,’ it reflects centuries of tradition and national heritage. Architectural enhancements in the 1930s preserved its grandeur while revealing layers of history, from royal coats of arms to symbolic carvings of the three kingdoms. The room embodies the intersection of British political history and fine dining, offering a rare glimpse into the exclusive world of parliamentary life.
The dinner is traditionally a black tie event and many guests will wear formal dress, but for those who prefer lounge suits, this is perfectly acceptable. Most people will be sitting at tables of 10. Please also inform us of any special dietary requirements.
We are honoured to welcome diplomat, author, academic, and former Secretary of State, The Rt Hon Rory Stewart OBE FRSGS FRSL. Rory hosts the UK's most popular podcast (The Rest is Politics), is Professor in the Practice of Grand Strategy at Yale University, and has a deep and long-standing relationship with Japan.
Roderick (Rory) Stewart is a British politician, diplomat, author, and former president of GiveDirectly. He previously served in the UK government as Secretary of State for International Development and held senior ministerial roles covering Africa, the Middle East, Asia, prisons, the environment, and national security. As a member of the National Security Council and Chair of the House of Commons Defence Select Committee, Stewart helped shape British foreign and security policy. Before entering frontline politics, he founded the Turquoise Mountain Foundation in Afghanistan to support cultural heritage and economic development and later served as Director of the Carr Center for Human Rights Policy at Harvard Kennedy School. Stewart is also a bestselling author of five books, a documentary presenter, and co-host of the popular political podcast The Rest Is Politics.
We are very grateful to JPMorgan Japanese Investment Trust plc for their support for our Annual Dinner. This enables us to offer subsidised tickets to members, ensuring that the event can be enjoyed by all.
If you have any questions, please call the Japan Society office on 020 3075 1996 or email us at events@japansociety.org.uk.
Supported by JPMorgan Japanese Investment Trust plc
JPMorgan Japanese Investment Trust plc is the UK's largest and one of the longest-established investment trusts dedicated to Japan, with a history stretching back nearly 100 years — helping investors gain access to and invest in the heart of a changing Japan. Managed by a team of more than 25 specialists on the ground in Tokyo, the Trust combines deep local knowledge with J.P. Morgan Asset Management's global expertise. Its focus is on the companies and people helping to shape Japan's future – from robotics, healthcare and advanced materials to technology and e-commerce. With a long-term commitment to Japan and a belief in the country's capacity for innovation and transformation, the Trust is delighted to support the Japan Society Annual Dinner as Title Sponsor.
Ballot Details
- Providing Details in the Booking Form
Please enter the full name and email address associated with your membership in the ballot form so we can match your information in our system. - Ballot Entry Confirmation
You should receive an automated email from The Japan Society to let you know that your ballot entry has been registered. If you don't receive any confirmation emails, please check your spam folder or email events@japansociety.org.uk. - Ballot Rules
- Entry is only open to members of The Japan Society.
- Due to the extremely limited number of seats, places are limited to one place per member - exception are Individual Donors and Family Members who can enter the ballot with one entry only but if selected will be allowed to book up to 2 places.
- Deadline to enter the ballot: Monday 28 September 2026.
- Succesful applicants will be selected randomly and will be contacted by Monday 5 October 2026. They will receive a link to complete the booking by 12 October 2026. Members under 30 may be asked to provide proof of age before the booking can be confirmed.
- Members under 30
Those who are successful in the ballot will receive complimentary membership for the following year. We may ask you to provide proof of age, such as a valid form of identification, to confirm your eligibility. - Event Details
Selected members who finalise the booking will receive further details to attend the event closer to the date. - Cancellation Policy
A full refund will only be given where notice of cancellation is received no later than 12.00 noon on Thursday 29 October 2026. After this date, we will attempt to resell your ticket(s). If we are unable to resell your ticket(s), unfortunately, we will not be able to offer a refund. - Waiting List
If selected members are unable to attend or do not complete the payment before the deadline stated in the email, another applicant will be selected randomly from the waiting list to buy the ticket.