The 35th annual meeting of the UK-Japan 21st Century Group convened in Japan on August 31–September 2, 2018. The UK delegation began its visit in Tokyo with events hosted by British Ambassador Paul Madden and by Foreign Minister Taro Kono. The UK participants paid a courtesy call to Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, before joining their Japanese counterparts for the trip to Kamakura. The group—comprised of politicians, journalists, businesspeople, and scholars—held in-depth discussions on a broad range of issues, including the latest political and economic developments in each country, the implications of Brexit for UK-Japan relations in the financial services sector, the role of the two countries in the world trade regime, soft power diplomacy, defense and security challenges, and global health challenges and cooperation. A summary of discussions and recommendations is prepared by the co-chairs and presented to their respective governments.
August 30
Call on Prime Minister (UK participants only)
KAMAKURA PROGRAMME
Post Brexit UK-Japan Relations in a New International Order
Opening remarks by Co-Chairmen of the UK-Japan 21st Century Group, Yasuhisa Shiozaki and Lord Lansley
Session 1: Latest Developments in Japanese Politics and the Economy
SPEAKER: Toshiaki Miura, Political and Diplomatic Correspondent,The Asahi Shimbun
Session 2: Latest Developments in UK Politics and the Economy
UK SPEAKER: Philip Stephens, Financial Times
Optional : Kotoku-in Kamakura Daibutsu (Great Buddha of Kamakura)
Dinner
September 1
Session 3: UK-Japan Financial Services Sector Relations in the Post-Brexit Era
JAPANESE SPEAKER: Yasuyuki Kawasaki, Deputy Chairman, Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group
UK SPEAKER: Professor Tom James, CEO and Chief Investment Officer, Navitas Resources
Session 4: The Role of UK and Japan in the New International World Trade Regime
JAPANESE SPEAKER: Atsushi Nakajima, Chairman, Research Institute of Economy, Trade and Industry
UK SPEAKER: Lord Andrew Lansley, UK Co-Chairman
Lunch : Soft Power Diplomacy—UK-Japan Cooperation in Culture, Education & Sport
JAPANESE SPEAKER: Kan Suzuki, Special Advisor to the Minister of Education, Culture and Sports, Science and Technology
UK SPEAKER: Sir Ciaran Devane, Chief Executive British Council
Session 5: Defence and Security Challenges for the UK and Japan in a Changing International World Order
JAPANESE SPEAKER: Hitoshi Tanaka, Chairman, Institute of International Strategy, Japan Research Institute, Ltd.
UK SPEAKER: Dr John Nilsson-Wright, Cambridge University and Chatham House
Session 6: Global Health Challenges and Cooperation
JAPANESE SPEAKER: Keizo Takemi, Member of House of Councillors
UK SPEAKER: Mr Lelio Marmora, Executive Director, Unitaid
