BCCJ - The British Chamber of Commerce in Japan

As 2024 comes to a close, we want to take a moment to thank our incredible BCCJ members and partners for their unwavering support, collaboration, and dedication throughout the year. Your contributions and engagement have made this year an exciting, successful and truly meaningful one, and we are proud to be part of such an inspiring and evolving UK-Japan community. Here's to building on this momentum and achieving even greater things together in 2025!

On receiving the British Chamber of Commerce in Japan’s British Business Award (BBA) for #DigiTech #Innovation in early November, Oxford Instruments plc KK (OIKK) was commended for “driving exceptionally effective digital/technology innovation, services or solutions in Japan over the past 12 months.” OIKK was recognised by a panel of esteemed judges from the UK–Japan ecosystem for successfully integrating Oxford Instrument’s sophisticated dilution refrigerator into a system that has enabled the first quantum computer to operate in TY11, a commercial data centre in Tokyo run by US-based digital infrastructure company Equinix. The project’s completion, in autumn 2023, has delivered a “significant global impact,” according to Tony Ford, fellow at OIKK, who notes that the learnings from OIKK’s efforts can now be leveraged to place dilution refrigerator systems in data centres in the United States and Europe. https://lnkd.in/gMKsHmEF

The 17th annual British Business Awards (BBA) saw Joseph Tame become the inaugural winner of the trophy for Outstanding Contribution, designed to recognise “excellence and effectiveness in supporting UK–Japan commercial and/or cultural relations over the past 12 months.” “The first seven years of Wild Tame Co. Ltd was just me and Satoko. Then we started growing gradually and now have 25 team members. For a long time, we were taken up with only serving our clients, but in the past couple of years, we’ve developed the capacity to do non-profit work. That’s been very exciting for us because it has given us opportunities to do things we wouldn’t normally do. We’re trying to leverage the resources we have as a company—people, equipment and time—to give back,” he said. https://lnkd.in/g-mTgJgD

This page provides guidance on UK-Japan trade agreements, specifically the UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (#CEPA) and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (#CPTPP). It covers details on tariffs, customs, digital trade, investment, and government procurement. The agreements reduce trade barriers and enhance market opportunities for UK businesses trading with Japan. https://lnkd.in/g7tahSKg

The UK has yesterday [15 December] officially joined the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (#CPTPP) as a fully-fledged member, potentially boosting the UK economy by £2 billion a year in the long run. The UK’s accession is estimated to benefit all UK nations and regions in the long run, relative to 2019 values, with boosts of £240 million for Scotland, £110 million for Wales, and £70 million for Northern Ireland. All English regions are also estimated to gain, including £450 million for the South East and £310 million for the North West... https://lnkd.in/g7qJ94sW

BCCJ Shinnenkai (New Year Party) 2025  January 23 | 1800-2000 | HAPPO-EN Kick off 2025 in style by joining us on the evening of Thursday, January 23 to celebrate the Year of the Snake and explore what lies ahead for business and community in this auspicious year. Gather with around 100 members and guests from the UK-Japan business ecosystem for an evening of networking and celebration. This year’s Shinnenkai will has been made possible thanks to support of BBA2024 Entrepreneur of the Year winner, Astris Advisory Japan, and BCCJ Platinum Member, Robert Walters Japan. [This event will sell out] More information... https://lnkd.in/giANqaAE

This morning, the BCCJ headed over to JETRO - Japan External Trade Organization HQ for a seminar on helping SMEs establish or expand their business in Japan. The event included practical steps for setting up, support and subsidies available and key considerations for incorporation, guided by representatives of @TOSBEC, Japan Market Expansion Competition (JMEC), and JETRO - Japan External Trade Organization . We extend our thanks to everyone who joined!

The British Council Japan’s David Cruse led an interactive workshop focused on intercultural communication. The workshop covered topics such as understanding how cultural backgrounds influence communication styles, offering practical strategies for effective collaboration in diverse teams, and sharing best practices for professional communication in global business settings. Attendees learned how to adapt their communication styles to strengthen relationships with colleagues, clients, and partners from different cultural backgrounds. Special thanks to Beni Powell for helping to lead this event and also Gregory Owain Evans for taking some great photos.

As Japan experiences new records of international visitors, a surge of investment in areas including hospitality and technology, a new government that has launched a US$250 billion stimulus package, and an increasing voice for the country on both the global financial stage and in geo-politics, many are figuring out if Japan is on a new path of economic growth and global relevance. With a number of false dawns in recent years as the country has struggled to revive its economic strength of decades now long past, we wanted to hear from those on the ground that are leading some of the most established businesses operating in Japan today to get their candid perspectives. Joining us to share their expertise: Naoko Jihira, Head of Communications at Hoshizaki Corporation yoji minakuchi, Chief Design Officer at Suntory Holdings Konstantin K., VP of the Corporate Strategy Division and Head of Corporate Branding at Isuzu Motors Yuriko Iwasaki, Head of Communications at Unilever Japan Read more: https://lnkd.in/gDGxecCq

Last week, Thursday, the BCCJ joined forces with members, LSEG (London Stock Exchange Group) and Global Perspectives K.K. for a discussion on gender equity and sustainable investment in the financial sector. The event highlighted opportunities in investing in women in Japan, the newly launched 2X Certification, offering insights into aligning business strategies with social impact and growth and the importance of listening to the data and taking bold action when necessary, both from investors and leadership. Special thanks to out speakers: Tatjana Gerling | Ambassador for Japan, 2XGlobal Tove Kinooka | Director, Global Perspectives KK Mari Kogiso | Co-CEO, SDG Impact Japan Alexis R. Rocamora| Sustainable Finance & Investment Lead, APAC, London Stock Exchange Group Aya Tsumura | Executive Officer, SMBC Trust Bank Full write-up to follow on the BCCJ website...