Top Tokyo AI Firm Opens UK Office; Huge Boost for EV; Osaka Expo Update
A Japanese company behind a leading architectural design AI platform has announced its new office in London.
Analysts said this marks an important step in Tektome Inc.‘s global expansion, as London is a leading European construction country and one of the most advanced countries in the field of IT-based architectural design.
The UK government is promoting construction innovation as part of its Building Information Modelling (BIM) mandate, offering grants and tax incentives for digitalizing architectural design.
“London is an international hub in the field of architectural design, and has a strong international influence due to the fact that it handles projects in countries around the world, including the Middle East and Asia,” the UK government said on its Trade and Investment website.
Japan, meanwhile, is a leader in construction digital transformation, including BIM.
Tektome says it will use London to enter the EU, strengthening ties with local customers and building a system that will enable it to provide services over a wider area.
“The opening of our London branch marks a major turning point in Tektome’s global growth strategy,” Founding President and CEO Naoki Kitamura said. “Building on the technical capabilities and implementation track record we have cultivated in Japan, we hope to deliver new value to our customers in the construction industry in Europe.”
With the establishment of its London branch, Tektome will further strengthen its system to meet diverse needs around the world and aim to grow its business on a global scale.
UK Launches £2.5bn EV Project to Boost Investment and Jobs
UK auto firms will benefit from a £2.5 billion commitment over the next decade that will support thousands of jobs and help ensure the UK remains at the forefront of zero-emission vehicle development, according to Jonathan Reynolds MP of the UK Department for Business and Trade.
The UK Government in July launched DRIVE35—Driving Research & Investment in Vehicle Electrification—comprising new and improved funding competitions that will support UK businesses. The program will fund a wide spectrum of projects which help the transition to zero-emission vehicle manufacturing. From start-ups, prototypes and cutting-edge automotive innovation, DRIVE35 will target established high-volume manufacturing and multi-billion-pound gigafactories.
The new program was announced in the Advanced Manufacturing Sector Plan, part of the UK’s modern Industrial Strategy. It will commit £2 billion in funding to 2030 alongside an additional £500m for research and development to 2035, signalling a ten-year commitment to UK automotive innovation.
The cash will provide certainty to the sector, give innovators the confidence to invest in the UK and will support the latest in research and development, unlocking capital investment in zero emission vehicles, batteries and their supply chains.
The automotive sector contributed £21.4 billion in GVA to the economy in 2024 and currently employs 132,000 people across all parts of the UK, including many highly-skilled, highly-paid roles and apprenticeships. The transition to zero emissions is the biggest opportunity of the 21st century to attract investment, harness British innovation and deliver growth for generations to come.
The UK was also the largest EV (electric vehicle) market in Europe in 2024 and the third in the world with over 382,000 EVs sold—up a fifth on the previous year. There are now more than 82,000 public chargepoints in the UK, with one added every half an hour, ensuring that motorists are always a short drive from a socket.
“We’re helping British carmakers get to the front of the pack by working hand in hand with investors to build a globally competitive electric vehicle supply chain in the UK as we deliver our Plan for Change,” Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said.
“We’re taking action to back the industry for the future with the biggest set of announcements for the sector in the last decade,” Reynolds added. “This includes securing a landmark trade deal with the US to bring down tariffs for British car manufacturers, measures in our modern Industrial Strategy to lower electricity prices and updating the ZEV mandate, supporting UK manufacturers to safeguard jobs, and securing the future of the sector.”
Economic growth is our number one priority, and by funding our world leading auto sector we are creating the right conditions for increased investment, bringing growth, jobs, and opportunities to every part of the UK,” Reynolds said.
The funding forms part of the government’s bold ambition to significantly increase business investment in the advanced manufacturing sector by 2035, giving British firms an edge in the frontier industries of the future and driving growth across the UK.
DRIVE35 will build on previous successes with the Automotive Transformation Fund (ATF) and the Advanced Propulsion Centre UK (APC) R&D competitions, which between them leveraged over £6 billion of investment from the private sector, creating thousands of jobs across the UK economy.
The Department for Business and Trade also announced over £300 million for specific UK automotive manufacturing firms and projects. This includes over £100 million of capital investment for UK automotive manufacturing via the ATF, approximately £140 million in combined Government and industry R&D investment and £18 million from the new £150m Connected & Automated Mobility (CAM) Pathfinder program.
With Government support, Bolton is set to benefit from more than £100 million in investment from Astemo Ltd., which will be vital to the production of EV components in the UK. This investment will produce new generations of electric inverters, supporting over 220 direct high-value jobs in the region and hundreds more in the wider UK supply chain.
The West Midlands will also welcome a recent £15 million investment from Dana to produce parts that are crucial for EV manufacturing. Dana’s investment will ensure skilled jobs in the region, supporting over 100 direct jobs over the long term.
“The creation of this dedicated automotive program is further evidence of the sector’s importance to economic growth,” Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive said. “Delivered as part of the Industrial Strategy, DRIVE35 has the potential to unlock investment and innovation in the UK, supporting jobs and creating wealth across the country.”
“The importance of a long term, cross-government strategy with specific measures for automotive cannot be understated given the challenges facing the sector amid geopolitical uncertainty and fierce global competition,” Hawes said. “DRIVE35, and the wider measures identified in the Industrial Strategy, must now be implemented at pace to ensure the UK is amongst the leaders in next generation automotive technologies.”
“This new investment underlines the commitment from the Government to secure advanced manufacturing in the UK,” Ian Constance, CEO, Advanced Propulsion Centre UK and Zenzic said. “I am pleased that the APC, Zenzic, and its delivery partners are here to facilitate a new wave of funding in the automotive industry, supporting innovation, driving scale-up and enabling transformation.”
“Today, we have announced projects receiving four types of grants that boost the UK’s leadership in automotive manufacturing,” Constance added. “They will enable the rapid development of demonstrators featuring cutting-edge technology, accelerate ambitious SMEs, and support vital collaborative R&D innovation. This will encourage further investment in the UK’s growing zero-emission supply chain, safeguarding skilled jobs and building on the country’s reputation as a world-leader for technology.”
UK Events at Osaka Expo Update
The Future of Sustainability (RSA Panel) (Open to the Public, Pre-registration Required)
September 15 (National Holiday), 5:30–6:30pm JST; 9:30-10:30am GMT
Venue: UK Pavilion (Osaka) / RSA House (London)
This event connects the RSA headquarters in London with the UK Pavilion in Osaka, bringing together the next generation of changemakers and innovators. They will introduce a new movement shifting sustainability from the traditional “reduce harm” approach to the regenerative principle of “increase good,” and discuss their vision for a future in which people, communities and the planet thrive together. Pre-register here.
Come Power the Future (Open to the Public)
September 20–23
Venue: UK Pavilion
This interactive exhibit showcases UK clean energy technologies. It clearly introduces cutting-edge initiatives such as fusion energy and offshore wind power. With a wide range of educational and fun activities, including an offshore wind power cable laying game, a VR experience of the ST40 fusion unit and a virtual pulse launch, you’ll be sure to experience firsthand the clean future that British technology is envisioning.