Meeting of Japan Societies across the UK

Held the day after the vibrant Japanese Summer Festival organised by the Japan Society North West and JETAA in Sefton Park, the meeting offered a valuable opportunity to exchange ideas, share experiences, and strengthen connections across our growing network.

Participants included representatives from: 

• The Japan Society
• Japan Society North West
• Bristol Japanese Cultural Society
• Japan Society of Northern Ireland
• Japan Society of Scotland
• Obon on the Foyle
• Orkney Japan Association
• Kotatsu Japanese Animation Festival
• JETAA
• Japan in Devon
• South Wales Contact
• Embassy of Japan

Throughout the day, each group shared inspiring work taking place across the UK, from cultural programming and education to community wellbeing and creative collaboration.

We are grateful to Minister Shuji Maeda and colleagues at the Embassy of Japan in the UK for their continued support, and to our partners in the North West for hosting such a joyful matsuri alongside the meeting.

It was a privilege to see so many organisations working to foster meaningful UK-Japan connections, and we look forward to building on these conversations in the months ahead. Some other organisations such as Bath-Beppu Friendship Association were not able to attend but form part of this network.