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The British Chamber of Commerce in Japan (BCCJ) is delighted to welcome SMASH International Group to our community. SMASH International Group was established in 2023 as a specialist firm dedicated to addressing these challenges. Under their motto 'Bringing Trust and Confidence to Global Society,' our certified public accountants—with extensive international business experience and professional expertise in the UK—support both British and Japanese companies in conducting business with confidence through reliable financial reporting and robust business frameworks.

For Francis Fung, in retrospect, it is clear that two very distinct paths were set for the close of 2025. One within the BCCJ and one without. Referred by BCCJ member Helen Iwata, who had taken advantage of our Member Gets Member scheme, in a span of months Francis joined the Chamber and quickly became an active participant within the community. On 7th November, he attended his first British Business Awards and also walked away with his business, KiFor, winning Entrepreneur of the Year. If it were not for the referral, Francis may have walked into a very different 2026. BCCJ Communications Lead, Josh Welch, sat down with both Helen and Francis to interview them in regard to the past year, myth-bust ideas about the Chamber, and dived into learn how exactly this referral came to fruition.

As the BCCJ’s reach continues to expand across territories, we welcome the University of Manchester East Asia Centre as a valued addition to our community. The university was established in Hong Kong in 1992 as the first overseas campus of the University of Manchester. As the only Russell Group university with a centre in East Asia, the Centre offers blended learning, part-time Master’s degrees for professional, corporate managerial executives and entrepreneurs based in East Asia.

The BCCJ welcomes RouteX to our ever-growing community. RouteX Inc. is a Tokyo-based global innovation consultancy specialising in international startup ecosystems and cross-border business development. Since its founding in 2018, the company has supported more than 100 partnerships between Japanese corporations, international startups, government agencies, and research institutions.

With a strong track record in Japan, Europe, and Asia, RouteX helps organisations accelerate innovation by providing strategic insights, market entry support, ecosystem mapping, and partnership development.

The BCCJ is pleased to welcome AutoWear to our community. With strong and enduring ties between the UK, Europe, and Japan at the core of their business, AutoWear’s approach reflects the cross-border collaboration and shared expertise that the Chamber exists to foster. We look forward to their active engagement with fellow members and to the perspectives they will bring to our network.

The BCCJ is honoured to spotlight the work of its members and the projects to which they commit their time, care and expertise. Most recently, BCCJ members Klein Dytham architecture, in partnership with fellow member Wild Tame, have produced a powerful short film documenting reconstruction efforts in support of the Noto Peninsula following its devastation.

Quantinuum, a global leader in quantum computing, has been commended for 'exceptionally effective digital and technological innovation in Japan within the past 12 months' at the British Chamber of Commerce in Japan’s annual gala in early November.

Men’s mental health and work-life balance were the focus of the British Chamber of Commerce in Japan’s inaugural event in mid-November to mark International Men’s Day, a global annual observance designed to highlight men’s positive contributions and address the issues they face.

This year, Keechdesign celebrates its 20th anniversary, marking two decades of creative collaboration shaped by a strong and enduring connection between the UK and Japan.

The British School in Tokyo (BST) has been recognised at the British Chamber of Commerce in Japan’s 2025 British Business Awards, on November 7, 'for demonstrating excellence, innovation and leadership, with a focus on outstanding achievements over the past 12 months.' At the black-tie gala, the not-for-profit organisation received the trophy for Company of the Year, a hotly contested category.

TG Octopus Energy, a joint venture between Tokyo Gas Co., Ltd. and Octopus Energy UK, has been awarded a British Business Award (BBA) for making 'demonstrable contributions to strengthening the UK–Japan economic or commercial relationship over the past 12 months.'

UK-based accessibility technology firm Transreport Limited has been awarded the British Business Award for DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion).