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Japanese Ambassador to the UK Koji Tsuruoka (left), meets fashion designer Paul Costelloe at the ambassador’s official residence. Costelloe, whose designer label is based in London, has worked to assist the Tohoku region of Japan, which suffered in the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami of March, 2011. PHOTO: Embassy of Japan in the UK
Staff and students from the British School in Tokyo take part in their Eco-Science Community Service Expedition to Fiji as part of Operation Wallacea, an environmental research and conservation expedition organisation. PHOTO: THE British School in Tokyo
UK Ambassador to Japan Paul Madden CMG, UK Trade Secretary Dr Liam Fox and President of the British Chamber of Commerce in Japan David Bickle address members of the BCCJ on 1 August. The title of the BCCJ event was The Current State of Affairs.
Lori Henderson MBE pictured on 2 July with the 11th Lelung Rinpoche, who is working to create a World Peace Centre in the UK.
Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism and External Affairs Fiona Hyslop, founder of International Conference of Women in Business Kaori Sasaki and Mayor of Yokohama Fumiko Hayashi spoke to BCCJ members about diversity and inclusion during an event on 3 July.
BCCJ members attended a luncheon on 10 July with Lord Mayor of the City of London Charles Bowman. The lord mayor discussed issues such as the future of the City of London and the UK financial services industry.
The Embassy of Japan in the UK hosted an event on 2 July on Japan–UK sporting ties ahead of the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games. From left: Steve Woerner, Manager, Corporate Communications and Sustainability, Mitsubishi Corporation International (Europe) Plc; Yoji Saito, president and CEO of Mitsubishi Electric Europe B.V.; Japanese Ambassador to the UK Koji Tsuruoka; Lord McConnell of Glenscorrodale, co-chair of the British-Japanese Parliamentary Group sporting sub-group; Lord Holmes of Richmond. PHOTO: EMBASSY OF JAPAN IN THE UK
Japanese Ambassador to the UK Koji Tsuruoka attended a UK vs Japan polo friendly at Ham Polo Club near Richmond, London, on 10 June. PHOTO: EMBASSY OF JAPAN IN THE UK
On 19 July, members of Tokyo’s British community descended on the Hilton Tokyo in Nishi-Shinjuku for the Great British Beer Garden. The event involving the BCCJ, Japan-British Society, British Market Council and Royal Society of Arts attracted more than 100 guests for drinks and snacks. The event’s theme was Koedo (Little Edo).
Japanese Ambassador to the UK Koji Tsuruoka (right) met with war veterans and their families and other guests at the 22nd Summer Reunion for Peace and Friendship at the Embassy of Japan in the UK on 18 June. The event aims to nurture reconciliation between former enemies. PHOTO: EMBASSY OF JAPAN IN THE UK
On 3 August, the Royal Navy’s amphibious assault vessel HMS Albion arrived at Harumi Pier in Tokyo. That evening, a cocktail party was held on the ship’s flight deck to welcome Japanese and other officials, and show them around the vessel. PHOTOS: BRITISH EMBASSY TOKYO
HMS Albion sailors salute the USS Ronald Reagan at Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, on 24 July. U.S. NAVY PHOTO BY MASS COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST 1ST CLASS PETER BURGHART
HMS Albion Ship’s Company paraded and laid wreaths on August 4 as part of the Prisoner of War Commemorations at Yokohama War Cemetery in Hodogaya Ward, Kanagawa Prefecture, which is cared for by the London-based Commonwealth War Graves Commission. The Yokohama Cremation Memorial houses the ashes of 335 soldiers, sailors and airmen of the Commonwealth, the United States, and the Netherlands who died as prisoners of war in Japan. PHOTOS: PETTY OFFICER (PHOTOGRAPHER)SIMON ETHELL, HMS ALBION
Guest of honour Seiko Noda, Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications, was among some 400 guests at this year’s Queen’s Birthday Party hosted by HE Paul Madden CMG at his residence on 14 June. Guests were treated to music from the band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland and the British School in Tokyo’s jazz band, a display of luxury British cars, and a showcase of British food, including a lemon and elderflower cake based on the one from the recent wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. The theme was “Innovation is GREAT, AI” and guests were entertained by various AI-related visuals and demonstrations involving UK–Japan collaboration. The ambassador’s speech described the deepening of the UK–Japan relationship since Prime Minister Theresa May’s visit to Japan in August last year, including visits by three Royal Navy ships, and a new trade and investment working group to take forward a future bilateral trade agreement. The party was sponsored by a number of leading British firms. PHOTOS: ©BRITISH EMBASSY TOKYO/JUN TAKAGI
Lemon and elderflower cake as featured in NHK BS Premium programme “Exquisite! Sweets Magic Special on Great British Royal Wedding Sweets”.
Ambassador Madden delivered opening remarks at the start of the party.
Guests were entertained by the British School in Tokyo’s jazz band.