Reception with the Japanese Community & Friends of Japan, in the presence of HM the Emperor of Japan

On the occasion of the State Visit to the UK by Their Majesties The Emperor and The Empress of Japan, The Japan Society hosted a private reception for His Majesty The Emperor alongside the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the UK, Japan Association in the UK, Nippon Club, and The Japanese Women’s Association in Great Britain. The 'Reception with the Japanese Community and Friends of Japan' was part of the private programme within the official state visit program and was held on Monday 24 June 2024 at the London Hilton on Park Lane.

We were honoured to be graced by the presence of His Majesty The Emperor, and were delighted that His Royal Highness Duke of Gloucester, patron of The Japan Society, also joined the reception. The Japan Society Chair, Bill Emmott was the offical host of the event greeting and accompanying HM The Emperor on behalf of the five co-hosting organisers.

Check the main photos of the reception (additional images can also be found here).

We welcomed more than 400 guests from culture and civil society, business, and science and research, along with representatives of the Imperial Household, Royal Household, and both governments, including the Ambassador of Japan to the United Kingdom, Hayashi Hajime, and the Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Japan, Julia Longbottom CMG.

His Majesty The Emperor gave a speech to the attendees in English in which he said: 'It is the connections between people that drive our societies forward and which create the foundations for the exchanges between countries. It is my wish that our bilateral ties will grow even stronger in the years to come, building on such firm foundations as people to people connections' (read the Emperor's remarks)


宮内庁/ The Imperial Household Agency	NHK News (English)	NHK News (Japanese)

The Emperor also said that "I am especially happy to see that young people are actually taking part in this exchange here today" and that he hopes to see even more friendship and goodwill. After the speech, The Emperor greeted and chatted amicably with some of the guests, including a group of young students from the Japan Youth Collective, our education initiative for 16-19 year olds interested in Japan.


FNN News	The Japan Times	Nippon TV News

On behalf of the organisers, The Japan Society, Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Japan Association in the UK, Nippon Club, and The Japanese Women’s Association in Great Britain, we would like to thank all guests for their participation in the reception and their ongoing contributions to Anglo-Japanese relations. Together, we look forward to further foster cultural, business and educational ties between the United Kingdom and Japan.

Special thanks also go to our collaborators London Hilton on Park Lane, Aoyama Flower Market and photographers Frederic Aranda and Gregory Owain for their support.

For more information about the work of The Japan Society and how to become a member please email membership@japansociety.org.uk.

Remarks by His Majesty the Emperor

Your Royal Highness
Mr Emmott, Chair of the Japan Society and Representatives of the Co-organisers,
Members of the Japanese Community and dear Friends of Japan,

　It gives me great pleasure to have this opportunity today to meet all of you who have supported the cooperation between Japan and the United Kingdom in a wide range of areas, including business, culture, academia, and the arts. It is indeed significant that today's gathering is being held through the efforts of organisations that have over the years dedicated themselves to promoting the Japan-UK relationship.

　It is the connections between peoples that drive our societies forward and which create the foundations for exchanges between countries. I am especially happy to see that young people are actually taking part in this exchange here today. It is my wish that our bilateral ties will grow even stronger in the years to come, building on such firm foundations as people-to-people connections.

　In my sincere hope that today's reception will lead to the further development of friendship, goodwill, and cooperation between Japan and the United Kingdom, I offer all of you my best wishes for good health and happiness.

The Imperial Household Agency - Read the remarks in Japanese here