The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh’s Official Visit to Japan and the Musubi Initiative

After gaining experience as a lawyer at Baker & McKenzie, I joined the UK Department for Foreign Affairs and International Development (FDCO) where I worked on foreign policy and trade as well as investment promotion. Most recently, I served as Minister-Counsellor at the British Embassy in Libya and have been posted to Tokyo.

On September 18-22, Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh made an official visit to Japan. Through an audience with Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress, an audience with Their Imperial Highnesses Prince and Princess Akishino and a tour of the Osaka-Kansai Expo, the visit reaffirmed the deep historical ties between the UK and Japan. It celebrated and further strengthened our long-standing partnership.

A reception was also held at the British Ambassador’s Residence to celebrate the expansion of the new UK-Japan partnership, the Musubi Initiative. Musubi is an innovative public-private partnership that develops future Japanese and British leaders through sports, business, education and cultural exchanges.

One of the key features of the Musubi Initiative is the collaboration with partner companies. Three new programs were announced at the reception attended by the Duke and Duchess:

• Chubu Electric Power and Odgers: A mentorship program for the next generation of female leaders
• London Stock Exchange Group: Building a career support network for women working in the financial industry
• Deloitte: Providing support for Musubi’s transformation into an independent foundation

The Musubi Initiative is the first public-private partnership between the UK and Japan, announced at the 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo. It has the potential to grow even bigger and more meaningful in the future. Your support is essential for its development. Please consider participating. Together, we will open up new possibilities for the next generation of Japanese and British leaders who will tackle the challenges of the future: Musubi

Terumo Corporation invests $1.5 billion in UK-based OrganOx

OrganOx develops the “metra” organ preservation device for liver transplants (kidneys are under development). Using Normothermic Machine Perfusion (NMP) technology developed at the University of Oxford, the device preserves donor organs through machine perfusion at room temperature. This allows for preservation for 12 hours in the United States and 24 hours in Europe, contributing to increased transplant opportunities and improved quality of life for healthcare professionals. This strategic investment is expected to expand Terumo’s UK operations and OrganOx’s global reach.

This event will introduce the latest industry trends and the UK’s world-leading academic research ecosystem. The Institute of Cancer Research, University College London and the Francis Crick Institute, Europe’s largest biomedical research institute, will also be participating for the first time. There will also be proposals for Japan-UK collaboration and a social gathering. Participation is free, limited to 150 people and advance registration is required.

BioJapan Industry Partnering Event (Oct. 8-10)

As an exhibition centered on biotechnology, a wide range of companies from across industries are exhibiting. They are primarily in the pharmaceutical drug discovery field, but also in biomanufacturing, food tech and health tech.

With a diverse range of exhibitors from industry, government and academia, this exhibition offers a chance to experience the latest in the biotechnology industry, including cutting-edge technologies and market trends.

Energy Seminar (Oct. 29)

Representatives from the UK Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem) and the UK Energy System Operator (NESO) will visit Japan to hold a seminar on electricity transmission systems. 

This year, in addition to the Offshore Transmission System (OFTO), they will also cover the Onshore Transmission System (CATO), which the UK is currently introducing. Participation is free, but advance registration is required (deadline: Oct. 13).

UK at Expo Osaka-Kansai

Beyond the SDGs: UK Climate Leadership on the World Stage (RSA Panel)

Monday, Oct. 6
Venue: RSA House (London) / UK Pavilion (Osaka) | Live Stream Available | Open to the Public

The final event of the UK-RSA global partnership will connect London and Osaka to discuss climate change and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). UK policy leaders and innovators will take to the stage to explore pathways to a sustainable future and explore the potential for international collaboration and innovation.
Online Registration: RSA Official Page
On-site registration in Osaka is here (deadline: Sept. 26)

Selector After Dark

Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 11-12
Venue: UK Pavilion

Selector Radio, the British Council’s weekly online video and radio broadcast, will feature three UK artists in Japan for a special live performance titled “Selector After Dark.” The event will be hosted by Selector presenter Sian Eleri (Oct. 11) and Japan-based DJ Nick Luscombe (Oct. 12). We’ll be bringing you the latest sounds from the UK club scene.

Music & Creative Tech Networking Event

Saturday, Oct. 11
Venue: UK Pavilion
(Invitation only)

This special event will bring together key UK and Japanese stakeholders in the music and creative tech sectors. Participants will include the UK Music Tech Trade Mission, CoStar Foresight Lab, Watershed, Media Cymru and SxSW London, among other leading UK institutions exploring the future of creative technology.

During Expo 2020 Osaka, Kansai, a variety of business programs and events, both open to the public and by invitation only, are planned across a range of sectors to strengthen and promote UK-Japan business relations. If you’re interested in participating in the invitation-only business programs and events, please register your interest using this form.