Wales and Japan’s Evolving Partnership for Innovation and Culture

Wales and Japan share a long-standing and multifaceted relationship that spans centuries, from the early days of industrial collaboration to the present era of cultural and technological exchange. At the forefront of fostering this evolving partnership is the “Wales and Japan 2025” campaign, an initiative aimed at deepening economic, cultural and diplomatic ties between the two nations.

Ffion Thomas, the deputy director leading this ambitious campaign brings a wealth of experience from diverse sectors, including UK government roles in national security, crisis management and international negotiations at the UN. In an exclusive interview, she spoke about the goals of the campaign, the unique relationship between the two countries and what to expect at EXPO 2025 Osaka. 

Key Sectors for Collaboration 

The connection between Wales and Japan dates back to the industrial age, with Welsh steel and coal playing a pivotal role in Japan’s railway infrastructure and power development. More recently, this relationship has expanded to include significant economic investment, with major Japanese companies such as Panasonic, Sony and Toyota establishing a strong presence in Wales. Today there are roughly 170 Japanese companies in Wales. 

Cultural ties have also flourished, notably during the Rugby World Cup, where Welsh language and traditions were embraced with enthusiasm in Japan. “There’s a long, rich history between Japan and Wales,” said Thomas. “With this campaign, we’re now looking at the next phase of this relationship: what does it look like and how do we strengthen it?” 

Looking ahead, Thomas said that one of the campaign’s main goals is to look at how the two countries can work together to solve global challenges, particularly in regards to technological innovations. “We’re looking at how we can collaborate on tech innovation for net zero opportunities,” said Thomas. Net zero refers to the goal of offsetting all greenhouse gases generated by human activities by reducing emissions and using methods to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. With Wales being a pioneer in legislating the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, the upcoming Expo provides a significant platform to highlight the nation’s contributions to sustainability and innovation. “We’ve got a really great story to tell Japanese people, and that’s a big part of what the campaign is doing this year,” said Thomas. 

Thomas spoke about the green technology she was most excited to introduce at the Expo, which will run from 13 April to 13 October. With advancements in floating offshore wind energy and other renewable solutions, Thomas is optimistic about the opportunities for collaboration in regards to green tech. “Innovation and sustainable technologies are at the heart of both nations,” she said. “The appreciation of nature and the ability to innovate—Japan’s success has absolutely come from its innovation. And the deep appreciation for nature that’s part of Japanese culture is also in Welsh culture. I think the two countries are so naturally fitted for this space, and I know that both Wales and Japan are looking for an opportunity to change the world in a positive way, to look after future generations.” 

Wales will showcase innovations in green technology and creative industries at EXPO 2025 Osaka.
Wales will showcase innovations in green technology and creative industries at EXPO 2025 Osaka.

Beyond technological innovations, Thomas is excited about the people-to-people connections that the campaign will foster, particularly within the creative industry. With Wales serving as a production hub for global hits such as Doctor Who and Harry Potter, there is immense potential for cross-cultural collaborations in Japan’s entertainment industry.

A key component of the campaign is the £150,000 Wales Japan Culture Fund, designed to support artistic collaborations between Welsh and Japanese artists. Open to various art forms, from filmmaking to sculpture, the fund aims to strengthen cultural bonds and foster long-term partnerships. “The fund offers an exciting opportunity for artists to collaborate without a prescribed outcome, allowing creativity to flow naturally and build meaningful connections,” said Thomas. “I hope Japanese artists are able to find partners in Wales, and that they can build their projects and relationships together going forward. 

Thomas was treated to a taiko presentation, highlighting her vision for deeper cultural exchange.
Thomas was treated to a taiko presentation, highlighting her vision for deeper cultural exchange. 

Thomas hopes that the relationships forged between Welsh and Japanese people will continue to strengthen and evolve well past 2025. After our interview, she was treated to a taiko presentation where she had the opportunity to witness traditional Japanese drumming for the first time. The performance underscored Thomas’s vision for the Wales Japan Culture fund and the campaign as a whole. Speaking about all the potential bilateral collaborations in the green tech and creative industries, Thomas said, “Well-being is very important to consider. Of course economic success is vital, but economic success that changes the world? That’s the golden spot. I think that the cultures between our two countries both naturally believe that, and I can’t think of more natural partners to work together.” 

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