From 11 to 14 May 2025, Mr Yasuda Mitsuru, Chairperson of the Council of Local Authorities for International Relations (CLAIR) Tokyo, undertook a significant four-day visit to the United Kingdom. This visit emphasised CLAIR’s commitment to fostering strong international relationships and promoting Japan’s local government initiatives overseas. A key focus of the trip was engaging with the Japan Local Government Centre (JLGC) in London, CLAIR’s vital overseas office, which plays a central role in supporting regional development and cross-cultural exchange between Japan and the UK.
During his visit to the JLGC, Chairperson Yasuda met with staff to discuss the centre’s ongoing projects, strategic priorities, and future plans. The London office serves as a crucial bridge linking Japan’s local governments with UK public sector bodies, educational institutions, and cultural organisations. Mr Yasuda’s discussions highlighted JLGC’s expanding role in promoting regional governance models, facilitating policy exchanges, and supporting grassroots collaborations. This dialogue reinforced CLAIR’s vision of strengthening Japan’s presence internationally through sustained local to local diplomacy.
Beyond JLGC, Mr Yasuda’s schedule included important meetings with key partners in the UK-Japan cultural and economic landscape. Among them were Samurai Sake, the UK’s foremost promoter of Japanese sake culture; the Japan National Tourism Organisation (JNTO), which continues to enhance tourism links; JETRO (Japan External Trade Organisation), instrumental in supporting trade and investment; and Wagumi, a notable network supporting Japanese business communities abroad as well as Japan House London and the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry. These meetings aimed to foster closer collaboration, explore new opportunities, and align efforts to support Japan’s regional interests in the UK.
There was also a visit to the UK Parliament, which we were delighted to accompany and was hosted by the Election Statistics Team of the House of Commons Library. Mr Yasuda is a noted electoral policy expert in Japan across his career and our visit to the House of Commons Library staff will inform upcoming research on UK elections policy.
A notable moment in the visit was Yasuda’s formal greeting with the Ambassador of Japan to the UK. This meeting symbolised the strong diplomatic ties between the two countries and underlined the shared commitment to deepening regional cooperation and cultural exchange. The Ambassador discussed CLAIR’s work and the JLGC’s role in reinforcing Japan’s local government presence overseas.
Perhaps the highlight of Chairperson Yasuda’s visit was a special dinner held with alumni of the JET Programme—the flagship exchange initiative that brings young professionals from around the world to work in Japanese schools and local government offices. The dinner provided an intimate setting for Mr Yasuda to express gratitude for the alumni’s ongoing contributions as cultural ambassadors and regional advocates. He emphasised the programme’s significance in building lasting international relationships and supporting the development of Japan’s regions.
The JET Programme is widely regarded as a critical pillar in CLAIR’s international outreach. By placing participants in local communities across Japan, it nurtures cross-cultural understanding and fosters global networks that continue well beyond the participants’ time in Japan. Yasuda highlighted how these alumni often become vital connectors who promote Japan’s regional charms and facilitate people-to-people exchange, thereby contributing to local revitalisation and international cooperation.
Throughout his visit, Chairperson Yasuda Mitsuru underscored the strategic importance of CLAIR’s international offices, especially JLGC London, as hubs for regional promotion and policy exchange. The trip reinforced the synergy between Japan’s local government diplomacy and broader bilateral ties with the UK, and reaffirmed the critical role of cultural and people-centred initiatives like the JET Programme.
In summary, Mr Yasuda’s UK visit not only strengthened partnerships with key stakeholders but also highlighted how CLAIR and JLGC continue to advance Japan’s regional interests on the global stage. As Japan and the UK deepen their collaboration, the foundations laid by such visits and programmes promise to foster vibrant, mutually beneficial relationships well into the future.
