Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson arrives in Japan for strategic dialogue

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson arrives in Tokyo today (Thursday 20 July 2017) for talks on regional security and the continuing strength of UK-Japan trade.

During the two-day visit he will:

• ·         Take part in a strategic dialogue with Japan’s Foreign Minister, Fumio Kishida, and other senior politicians to consider increased foreign and security policy cooperation to tackle threats to regional stability.

• ·         Hold talks on increased co-operation on cyber safety, and visit Japan’s NEC ‘Innovation World’, a public technology centre

• ·         Meet Japanese business leaders and investors, along with representatives from British businesses, to discuss the future of the strong UK-Japan trading and investment relationship.

• ·         Meet with Japanese Olympics Minister Tamayo Marukawa to share UK expertise for their preparations for the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2020. He will also meet Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike and visit the British Olympic sailing team in Hayama City.

• ·         Visit Waseda University’s robotics centre, where robots have been developed to help in disaster situations and healthcare. The university works closely with the University of Birmingham in the UK and has a co-operation agreement on robotics, sharing knowledge and skills.

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said:

“I have come to Japan to build on our historic relationship, which is based on common values, support for democracy, human rights and free and open markets. Japanese companies invest more than £40 billion in the UK and our commercial relationship is stronger than ever. We do great work together on everything from defence and security to education, research and innovation.

“As London Mayor I had the privilege and honour to see up close how dramatically the Olympic and Paralympic Games unified and lifted our great capital, and I am excited for the people of Tokyo that they will soon experience the magic that the Olympics brings. I’m proud that our world-leading expertise in staging major events will help to forge an even stronger UK-Japan partnership ahead of the 2020 Olympic Games.”

Following the visit to Japan, the Foreign Secretary will travel to New Zealand for talks on trade and security, before moving on to Australia next week.

Notes to editors:

• ·         The UK has developed a status as an expert in staging major international events, following the success of London 2012. British companies were integral to the success of last year’s Rio Olympics, with more than 100 experts from the London 2012 games working closely with Brazilian officials in the four years leading up to the Rio Games. Many will be working again with the Tokyo organisers.