BCCJ Members Engage with Foreign Secretary David Lammy and Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds During Japan Visit

On 7 March, UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy MP and Secretary of State for Business and Trade Jonathan Reynolds MP travelled to Tokyo for the inaugural UK-Japan Economic 2+2 Dialogue. As part of their visit, selected BCCJ members were invited by the Department for Business and Trade to engage in discussions with the ministers.

During the meeting, Foreign Secretary Lammy reaffirmed the strength of UK-Japan economic ties, emphasising shared commitments to sustainable and resilient growth, the successful implementation of recent partnerships CPTPP and CEPA, and deeper trade collaboration, including third-country projects.

In discussions with BCCJ members, the ministers underscored the importance of WTO reforms, advocating for fair global trade practices and resilient supply chains while addressing concerns over market distortions and industrial subsidies. Conversations with the membership also explored ways to advance industrial partnerships, investment facilitation, and innovation in critical sectors such as AI, semiconductors, and quantum technology, with a focus on integrating the UK-Japan tech ecosystems.

The two Secretaries of State were joined by a business delegation of 16 UK trade associations and engaged with representatives from Japan’s business and industry sectors to foster deeper partnerships between UK and Japanese companies.