UK Japan 21st Century Group
The UK-Japan 21st Century Group was established in 1984 as the UK-Japan 2000 Group at the joint recommendation of the British and Japanese Prime Ministers, Margaret Thatcher and Yasuhiro Nakasone. It is the most senior bilateral body acting in the sphere of UK-Japan relations and maintains close ties with both governments and with related organisations.
The primary purpose of the UK-Japan 21st Century Group is to promote dialogue and cooperation between the two countries. Members include parliamentarians, business leaders and representatives from the media, think tanks and academia. At the Group’s annual conference, held alternate years in the UK and Japan, delegates discuss any issue that might affect our bilateral ties and make suggestions on how to enhance them. The Chairmen’s summary and recommendations from the conference are then sent to both Prime Ministers and to government departments for consideration and action.
The Co-Chairmen of the UK-Japan 21st Century Group are The Rt Hon Lord Lansley CBE PC and Mr Keizo Takemi MP. Together, they lead discussions on political, economic and social developments in both countries, on opportunities for industrial cooperation, and on issues relating to trade and investment, global security, health, international development and education.
40th Annual Conference, in Tokyo and Odawara, 2 - 4 February 2024
Members of the UK-Japan 21st Century Group February 2024
The 40th annual meeting of the UK-Japan 21st Century Group convened in Tokyo and Odawara, Kanagawa on 2 - 4 February, the second in-person programme since 2019. The delegation began their stay in Tokyo, where the UK delegation met Prime Minister Kishida and attended a reception hosted by Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa.
More than 40 members from the United Kingdom and Japan participated in the dialogue. Over the course of seven sessions, politicians, journalists, businesspeople, and scholars discussed key topics including the latest domestic developments in each country, global conflicts including the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the US response to the current international turmoil, climate change and energy, ways to encourage cooperation on global health innovation, and the impact of AI.
The UK-Japan 21st Century Group greatly benefits from the support of its corporate sponsors, BAE Systems, Crown Agents , Terumo BCT Europe, HSBC and AstraZeneca, as well as support from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.
Members of the Board of Directors
Lord Lansley of Orford CBE (Chairman)
Lord McConnell of Glenscorrodale PC (Treasurer)
David Fitton CMG (Executive Director)
Baroness Barker
Dr Lisa Cameron MP
Paul Madden CMG
Dr John Nilsson-Wright
David Richardson
Sylvain Lacomble
Edward Weeks
A wider informal group of members, representing a range of UK-Japan interests and experience, are invited to attend the Annual General Meeting and to participate in other events arranged by the Group.
For further information about the UK-Japan 21st Century Group, including membership and sponsorship enquiries, contact David Fitton, Executive Director (david@fitton.org.uk).
The UK-Japan 21st Century Group is a company limited by guarantee (registered in England No. 2042768) and is registered with the Charity Commission (registration number 295006). The Group’s UK secretariat is based at The Japan Society in London. JCIE (Japan Center for International Exchange) serves as the secretariat in Japan.