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ARCHIVED The Inaugural Sir Hugh Cortazzi Lecture

Tuesday 24 September 2024 / 4:30pm
The Inaugural Sir Hugh Cortazzi Lecture

Date
Tuesday 24 September 2024

Time
4.30pm for 5.00pm start

Carriages at 7.00pm

Venue
The Locarno Suite
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
King Charles St
London
SW1A 2AH

Booking Details
Booking essential - Priority will be given to Members of The Japan Society
Members of The Japan Society and their Guests: £10 per person
Non-Members: £25 per person

Bookings open for non-members from noon Monday 12 August 2024 (More details on how to become a member here)

Please note that bookings for this event are now closed.


The Japan Society is delighted to announce our inaugural lecture in memory of our former chair (1985-1995), Sir Hugh Cortazzi GCMG (1924-2018). Sir Hugh was a British Diplomat, in addition to being a distinguished international businessman, academic, author and prominent Japanologist. He was Ambassador from the United Kingdom to Japan (1980–84), President of the Asiatic Society of Japan (1982–1983), and received the Grand Cordon of the Sacred Treasure. 

Sir Hugh served in the British Foreign Office, with three stints in Tokyo (1951-1954, 1966-1970, and 1980-1984). After retiring from public service Sir Hugh remained at the centre of UK Japan relations in his role as chair of The Japan Society and through his many publications. Particular highlights include Sir Hugh’s 2006 translation of then Crown Prince Naruhito’s account of his time in Oxford, The Thames and I, and a central role in the 1991 Japan Festival.

In this inaugural lecture, Mami Mizutori, former Head of the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, will speak on ‘The Importance of Diplomacy’, a subject very close to Sir Hugh’s heart. We are delighted that Ms Mizutori, who has a close relationship with the Cortazzi family, will share her considerable knowledge and expertise here.  

Ms Mizutori will be introduced by Sir Philip Barton KCMG, OBE, the Permanent Under-Secretary at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). The Japan Society is very grateful to the FCDO for their partnership with this event and for graciously hosting us in the Locarno Suite, the ‘Drawing room for the nation’.

Following the lecture there will be a reception and a chance to meet those joining from Parliament and Whitehall, along with your fellow members.

We are deeply grateful to Lady Elizabeth Cortazzi for her generous support of The Japan Society and this event, as well as to The FCDO for hosting this lecture.


Biographies

Mami Mizutori was a Japanese diplomat. In 2018 she was appointed as the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction and Head of the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction. Ms. Mitzutori served until the end of 2023. Prior to joining the UN, Ms. Mizutori was Executive Director of the Sainsbury Institute for the Study of Japanese Arts and Cultures, University of East Anglia, UK from 2011. 

Ms. Mizutori served for twenty-seven years in the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in various capacities, including: Budget Director; Director of the Japan Information and Culture Center (JICC) at the Embassy of Japan in London; Director of the National Security Policy Division, Director of the United Nations Policy Division; Director of the Status of US Forces Agreement Division; and Deputy Director of the Personnel Division. Ms Mizutori has also taught courses at at Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University and Waseda University, and was a member of the UK-Japan 21st Century Group.  

Sir Philip Robert Barton KCMG OBE is the Permanent Under-Secretary at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). The Permanent Under-Secretary is responsible for advising the Foreign Secretary and the ministerial team on international policy, and for managing the FCDO. The Permanent Under-Secretary also chairs the FCDO Board and is Head of the Diplomatic Service. 

Prior to his appointment to lead the FCDO, Philip has served as British High Commissioner to India, Director General in the Cabinet Office working on the UK’s longer-term response to the COVID-19 crisis, and Director General, Consular and Security in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Sir Philip has served overseas in  Caracas, New Delhi, Cyprus, Gibraltar as Deputy Governor and Washington as Deputy Ambassador, along as serving as British High Commissioner to Pakistan, Acting Chairman of the Joint Intelligence Committee, and as Private Secretary to Prime Ministers John Major and Tony Blair.


Booking Info

  • You should receive an automated email from The Japan Society to let you know that your booking request has been registered. Please note that your booking is not confirmed until we have checked your details - you will receive a further email once your booking is confirmed.

  • We will send you the details to attend the event closer to the date. You will be sent a pdf booking confirmation to show to security (either printed or on your phone) on entry together with a form of photographic ID.

  • Please provide the full name of your guest in the booking form. Given the venue's capacity, we are only able to accommodate one additional guest per invitation.

  • Cancellation Policy
    Should you wish to cancel after the cancellation deadline (noon Tuesday 17 September 2024) we will endeavour to fill your space(s) - however, in the event this is not possible, you will be charged the full amount.